On Tuesday, Infirmiers de Rue launched its annual plan, now in its 11th year, to provide free public drinking fountains and toilets in Brussels for the homeless.
While the number of fountains increased from 30 to 33 within the Pentagon and from 63 to 85 in the outer areas, the number of well-maintained toilets decreased from 16 in 2021 to 11 in 2025 in the city centre, and from 41 to 38 outside the Pentagon.
The plan will be displayed in Brussels’ metro stations from 1 July to 30 September.
“Without access to water and toilets, it is very difficult for those living on the streets to maintain their hygiene,” said the association’s coordinator, Emilie Meessen. “This plan helps them manage until they have housing with running water and sanitation facilities again.”
The plan also aims to raise awareness among the public about the daily challenges faced by homeless people. “These are not just simple infrastructures; they are crucial steps towards health, dignity, and rebuilding lives,” the association emphasised.
Infirmiers de Rue expressed concern over the reduction in the number of public toilets, attributing it to the deterioration and poor maintenance of current facilities. The districts of Ganshoren, Koekelberg, Forest, Etterbeek, and Woluwe-Saint-Pierre still have no public toilets available in 2025.
