BelRefugees reception centre closes with loss of 320 places

BelRefugees, the second largest emergency shelter organisation in the Brussels region, has permanently closed its centre for single men in Molenbeek.

This means the network of shelters for homeless migrants in Brussels will lose 320 places, almost a third of all beds managed by the organisation.

The building in Molenbeek is owned by the regional urban development agency Citydev and located near the Edmond Machtens stadium. It had been leased on a temporary basis since 2021, with the lease extended several times due to the ongoing migration crisis.

However, work on a social housing construction project is due to start this month, which means that a further extension of the lease is no longer possible.

“We had to leave the building by 31 August, in consultation with the owner and the contractor,” said Mehdi Kassou, general manager of BelRefugees.

“We were able to extend the deadline and are trying to gain a few more nights, but they have to start their construction work.”

Some of the residents have already been rehoused in other shelters. Kassou said that those who cannot find accommodation will receive “survival supplies”.

The closure comes at a time when the entire Brussels emergency shelter network is saturated and rushing to get people off the streets ahead of the freezing winter months.

“Usually, at this time of year, we open extra beds instead of closing them – losing 320 places is huge,” Kassou said.

The organisation also regrets the loss of about 30 jobs and is calling on the regional government to quickly find new buildings and funding.

“Looking ahead to 2026, we already know that we will have to work with the same resources as in 2024,” said Kassou.

“That means that, with inflation and rising costs, we will have to cut back again.”