Financial compensation for host families, new refugee ‘villages’, and new housing, are part of the Brussels-Region Government’s plans to accommodate up to 300 refugees per day who arrive in Brussels’ reception centres.
The plan to help accommodate new refugee arrivals was announced on 12 May by Pierre Verbeeren, Ukraine coordinator for the Brussels-Region Government.
Since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, almost 6 million refugees have fled the country, 78,000 of which have arrived in Belgium. Thus far, the Belgian authorities have officially registered around 40,000 of these new arrivals.
Belgian Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration, Sammy Mahdi, had previously stated that Belgium expects to receive up to 200,000 Ukrainian refugees during the course of the conflict.
Under acute stress from previous waves of refugee and migrant arrivals, Belgium is struggling to accommodate this influx of Ukrainians.
Housing is in short supply. An additional 7,200 permanent houses are needed to accommodate new arrivals, primarily in the capital, which has become a hub for receiving asylum seekers.
Much of the initial wave of arrivals found temporary accommodation with local host families, who welcomed Ukrainian families into their homes. These stays rely upon the hospitality of ordinary Brussels residents, but are intended to be temporary while the local authorities search for nearby social housing.
Verbeeren states that those who host Ukrainian refugees have experienced support and assistance from the state.
“I can confirm that the families who host have a very supportive and sustained experience, it can be difficult to thank them, we must support them,” Verbeeren said.
In order to close the deficit in permanent accommodation, many Brussels host families will now receive “financial compensation for the fact that they are hosting.”
“These allowances will come from the government money set aside for the social integration of Ukrainian and “contribute to the expenses of the household,” says Verbeeren. This financial support could amount to around €150 per Ukrainian individual and an additional €50 for dependent children.