More than 7,000 Brussels families receive housing allowance

Brussels, (Brussels Morning)- More than seven thousand Brussels families already receive a rent allowance. State Secretary for Housing Nawal Ben Hamou (PS) announced this in parliament. “After a difficult start, the payouts are now going well.”

A total of 14,859 applications for housing allowance have been submitted so far. In addition to the 7,120 grants awarded, 890 files are still being processed and 1,076 files are awaiting additional information. Another 3,984 applications were denied.

“The target of 12,500 beneficiaries still applies. We have been sending out a series of reminders since October and with results, as we registered more than 600 new applications in two weeks,” says Ben Hamou.

Difficult start

The payment of the rent allowances already had many problems . Last year, seven years after its introduction, only four hundred of the ten thousand families entitled to it actually received the premium. The admission criteria were strict, the application procedure complicated, and problems with the computer system caused additional problems during the application process.

Secretary of State Ben Hamou therefore decided to simplify the procedure and to increase the amount. The renewed rent allowance was launched in October last year, but that too did not go smoothly and families had to wait months before the allowance appeared on their account.

According to Ben Hamou, the problems and the additional backlog have now been cleared. “I will continue to ensure that the right to housing remains a priority, because it is more than ever a fundamental right. Everyone should receive the crown of a dignified and decent life,” Hamou insists.

Refusals

Green MP Arnaud Verstraete first emphasised his congratulations for the progress made. “But I do wonder why there are so many refusals?”

Françoise De Smedt (PVDA) turned out to be slightly less enthusiastic. “It was promised that 12,500 families would receive a rent allowance this year, which may not happen.”

Mathias Vanden Borre (N-VA) also fears that the target of 12,500 families will not be achieved. “It was only after our opposition work that the Secretary of State took action and accelerated the failing payment. Today 7120 families are being helped, a long way from the objective. The question remains whether this instrument works optimally.”