The N-VA wants a firm approach to the problem of squatters in Brussels

There is no escaping it in Brussels: squatters enter one building or another every week. No building is safe. Whether it concerns private homes or public office buildings, squatters find their way in. The fact that this is not without risks can be concluded from the numerous newspaper articles on fires and health problems in squats. MP Mathias Vanden Borre has had enough of this situation. “Squatters in buildings pose major health and safety risks and cause a considerable nuisance. This must be stopped.”

“The problem is that many Brussels municipalities are reluctant to have judicial eviction orders executed by their police forces. There is also a policy of tolerance in the Region, with a government that is unwilling to take action against squatters. As a result, these far-left activists feel invincible and are becoming increasingly daring. That is why I will soon launch an anti-squatting plan to urge the government to act.”

Disasters will happen

The former squat in Paleizenstraat turned out to be just the tip of the iceberg. Within a few months, Samusocial intervened in no less than 13 large squats where between 1,500 and 2,000 people were living in hazardous living conditions. The many other and smaller squats are thus not even taken into consideration. The numerous newspaper articles on house fires attributable to squatters also confirm these figures. “Disasters are going to happen in these squats. It is high time that the government reversed its course and decisively tackled the vast number of squats in the capital. I am particularly looking at Minister-President Vervoort’s powers regarding urban development, safety and public health,” says Mathias Vanden Borre.

Ideological blindness

“Tolerating squatters and – more importantly – not executing judicial eviction orders is antisocial, not only for the owner of the property in question, who is often left with major damage, but also for the squatters themselves, who often live there in inhumane conditions. Squatting can and should never be an alternative to organised shelter for the homeless and migrants – but it clearly is for this government. Secretary of State for Housing Nawal Ben Hamou (PS party) recently replied to my question, saying that the government has absolutely no idea of the number of squats in Brussels and no policy is being pursued to deal with them. Such ideological blindness in Brussels, where the problems are rife.”