At the Umbrella Refugee Committee
we advocate for inclusive and dignified
living conditions.
In this line, on 6 November 2024 we took part in an initiative to map homelessness organised by Bruss’help: “Dénombrement du Sans-abrisme et de l’Absence de Chez-soi” (Count of Homelessness and Lack of Shelter).
What was the purpose?
The count aimed at the collection of quality and representative data on homelessness in the Brussels-Capital Region.
The information provided will be valuable for future planning, advocacy, and support for the homeless population.
Who was involved?
Over 400 volunteers
A diverse network of volunteers
Civil society organisations
Public and private institutions
Our Umbrella Refugee Committee (URC) members were among the 400 volunteers who joined the initiative.
We were part of many other civil society organisations such as the Red Cross and put our efforts together with public and private institutions such as the CPAS, local police, STIB, SNCB, Brussels Environment, and major parking companies.
Where was the mapping conducted?
Volunteers were deployed throughout Brussels, covering 19 neighbourhoods with mapped routes.
How was the mapping conducted?
The count was carried on from 23:00 to 24:00. This one-hour window was strategically chosen to reduce the likelihood of movement, providing a more accurate snapshot of homelessness. With a specially designed website, the volunteers recorded key details such as location, number of people, gender, presence of children and signs of habitation.
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