The number of social homes and apartments in Wallonia dropped by 193 units to around 101,000 in 2016, compared to 103,000 in 2007. However, the number of prospective tenants continues to increase according to Le Soir today (25 October). In the last eight years the number increased by 23 000 households.
A recent decree has increased the admissible income ceilings for social housing, bringing to 30% the share of the Walloon population likely to benefit from public rental leases on favorable terms.
As demand for housing is likely to increase, Wallonia would need 150,000 new homes between 2017 and 2026, including at least 40,000 social housing units.
According to the Walloon Institute for Statistics, the proportion of the population at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2016 was around 18%, with no change in the last fifteen years.
The proportion of severely materially deprived people has been constant at 8%, meaning that their living conditions are constrained by a lack of resources such as not being able to afford to pay their bills, keep their home adequately warm, or take a one week holiday away from home.
35% of the tenants in the private market in Wallonia have a level of income lower than or equal to the at-risk-of poverty threshold.
The Brussels Times
