Homeless home: aid available in Belgium

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In Belgium, there are many aids for homeless people. Indeed, it is very important to help these people in great difficulty. However, what are these aids? How to have access to it? What are the procedures and conditions? My financial aid answers your questions, and gives you all the information about it.
Who can benefit from aid for homeless?
Then, homeless aid are accessible to homeless people or living in precarious conditions. Thus, they concern individuals without official address, temporarily hosted or in a situation of social exclusion.
In addition, to obtain certain aids, it is necessary to prove the absence of stable accommodation. Therefore, a homeless certificate may be necessary. This certificate is issued by a CPAS after a social investigation.
The homeless certificate provides access to several social assistance and emergency services.
Then some specific conditions Can be applied according to the type of assistance requested. For example, some devices require a minimum duration of residence in Belgium. Others are only accessible to adults or families with children.
Thus, the foreign In an irregular situation may encounter more difficulties to benefit from certain aids. In addition, specific solutions exist for asylum seekers or the refugees having lost their accommodation.
The steps to obtain help
In addition, several financial aids exist for the homeless in Belgium. Thus, they provide essential needs and promote reintegration. So the main aids are:
- Social integration income (RIS) : paid by the CPAS, its amount varies according to the situation of the applicant. In 2025, he was about 1 280 € per month for a single person;
- Equivalent social assistance : granted to people not eligible for RIS, but in great precariousness;
- Additional allowances : some municipalities offer aid for the payment of medical care, clothing or transport;
- Food aid and vouchers : Some organizations distribute vouchers to buy food or hygiene products.
In addition, these aids often require formal demand from the CPAS, with supporting documents for the precarious situation.
Example
A fixed homeless person can receive up to € 1,280 per month via RIS and obtain specific health and food aids.
Where to find accommodation in an emergency?
Thus, several accommodation solutions exist for homeless people. Then they depend on the level of emergency and the duration of the aid:
- Emergency accommodation centers : offer free overnight stays, meals and basic care;
- Home houses : offer temporary accommodation with social support for reintegration;
- Priority social housing : allow access to stable housing under conditions;
- Specialized accommodation for families and women victims of violence : Some structures are dedicated to vulnerable audiences.
In addition, to be hosted in an emergency, it is often necessary to contact the CPAS or an association of aid to the homeless. Some structures work without appointment, especially in winter.
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Other services available for homeless
However, aid is not limited to financial and housing aspects. Thus, additional services exist to improve living conditions:
- Food distributions : proposed by food banks and charitable associations;
- Free medical care : accessible via the Red Cross, Doctors of the World and certain public hospitals;
- Social and legal support : help to find a job, access social rights and obtain administrative assistance;
- Social and psychological permanence : centers offer suitable follow -up for people in mental or physical distress;
- Free-shower and laundromat : allow people without housing to maintain basic hygiene.
In addition, some associations offer training and psychological support to promote sustainable reintegration.
Attention
Access to certain aids can be subject to specific conditions depending on the cities and the systems in place locally.
How to apply for social assistance?
So, to benefit from aid, it is generally necessary:
- Contact the CPAS of the town where we live or where we usually stay;
- Support : identity documents, proof of precariousness (attestation of homeless, testimonials, etc.);
- Pass a social survey produced by a social worker of the CPAS;
- Wait for the decision : deadlines vary depending on the complexity of the file.
Then, some associations can support people in these administrative procedures. In addition, in the event of refusal of aid, it is possible to appeal to the Labor Court.
The rights of homeless people
Then, the homeless have fundamental rights in Belgium, guaranteed by law. Thus, they are entitled to:
- Access to basic necessities;
- Social and legal support;
- Housing solutions adapted according to their situation;
- A right to information on available aid.
In addition, associations and CPAS have an obligation to provide assistance to people in great precariousness. Therefore, any homeless person can request support to access the basic services.
In addition, Belgium sets up winter plans To strengthen accommodation devices during periods of very cold. Thus, additional places are open in reception centers To avoid dramas linked to negative temperatures.
Finally, it is essential to find out regularly about existing aid, because certain systems evolve according to the decisions of the local and federal authorities.