The Executive of Brussels City Council gave its green light, by a large majority to hiring a building to make available for organisations accommodating migrants during the winter. The building in question is located in the Blue Star complex acquired recently through Citydev, in Haren, with the aim of creating a training school for security within the Brussels region. Ultimately, the seven-storey building with an area of some 3,600 m2 is earmarked for demolition. It will be available from November 1st to April 30th by means of a tenancy-at-will in favour of the council.
The rent agreed by the city council is €73,743 for the period. The service charges agreed are €18,825. The reception and orientation centre will be managed by NGOs including Médecins du monde and the Citizen Platform for Refugee Support.
Ecolo, the cdH, and DéFI have joined the liberal Socialist majority in supporting the project. Sp.a and CD&V abstained from voting. The N-VA voted against the measure. The building will not be occupied by migrants from November 1st, owing to provisional arrangements yet to be put in place. The Mayor of Brussels City Council stressed that the council was thus taking its responsibilities in this regard. He invited the other communes and institutions in the region to do likewise.
The Brussels Times
