The Brussels government has organised a winter 2016-2017 support program for homeless people, which will start on Monday. It was announced by Ministers Pascal Smet and Céline Fremault, who are the ones behind it. They issued a joint press release.
The SAMU Social has coordinated this program since 2014. The aim is to provide a total of 1,283 spaces. If necessary, extra spaces will be arranged in stages, according to the demand for emergency housing.
The winter program will run from the 14th of November 2016 to the end of April 2017. The Brussels region already has 313 spaces open 365 days a year. These spaces are provided by the Ariane Centre, the Pierre d’Angle association and the SAMU Social. The winter program started on Monday will mean an extra 970 spaces, as well as those available all year long.
Every person taken in will get a hot meal in the evening and breakfast in the morning, as well as access to facilities like showers and toilets. They will also get social and psychological support. Volunteer doctors and nurses will provide medical assistance. The “Solidarité Grands Froids” association will provide a change of clothing. The winter centres for isolated people will only be open at night, the press release says.
Those that use these facilities will book using the free telephone number 0800/99.340, which will be open from 2pm.
(Source: Belga)
