PRESS RELEASE

Flanders fails on housing: European Committee issues damning verdict

Brussels, March 19, 2025 – The European Federation of National Organisations working with the Homeless (FEANTSA) and Woonzaak welcome the recent decision of the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) in the case FEANTSA v. Belgium (Complaint No. 203/2021). The decision confirms serious violations of the European Social Charter, particularly in relation to the right to housing, in the Flemish region of Belgium.

Key Findings of the Decision

The core of the decision focuses primarily on violations of Article 16 of the European Social Charter, which imposes obligations on States Parties regarding family housing. The decision addresses the impact of Flemish housing policy on the most vulnerable households, most of whom live in families. The Committee considered the following interrelated housing issues: affordability, adequacy, homelessness and discrimination.

Specific issues highlighted in the decision include:

Failure to ensure access to affordable housing - The Committee noted that Flanders' long-standing emphasis on home ownership, coupled with an insufficient supply of social housing, has left low-income households struggling to access affordable housing options.
Insufficient protection for private sector tenants - The decision also highlighted the lack of adequate support for vulnerable tenants in the private rented sector, many of whom face unaffordable rents, evictions and substandard housing conditions. The Committee also found a failure to ensure the practical implementation of the prohibition of discrimination.
Discrimination in access to social housing - The decision found that certain eligibility conditions, such as local connection rules, unfairly disadvantage certain groups, including migrants and vulnerable families.
Inadequate response to homelessness - The Committee criticised the lack of a comprehensive homelessness policy in the region and insufficient data collection on evictions and homelessness, which prevents effective action.

Call to Action

In light of this ruling, FEANTSA and Woonzaak urge the Belgian and Flemish authorities to take immediate corrective measures, including:

A comprehensive housing strategy that prioritises the needs of low-income households and aligns with Belgium’s human rights obligations under the European Social Charter.
Urgent expansion of social housing supply to ensure that those in need have access to affordable and quality homes.
Elimination of discriminatory barriers in social housing allocation to ensure equal access for all.
Better protection for tenants in the private rental market, including stronger rent control measures and financial assistance for low-income renters.
Enhanced data collection on homelessness and housing conditions to inform evidence-based policies aimed at ending housing exclusion.

Commenting on the decision, Freek Spinnewijn, FEANTSA’s Director, stated:

"This ruling is a wake-up call for Belgium. Housing is a fundamental human right, yet thousands of people in the Flemish Region continue to face unaffordable rents, homelessness and discrimination. We call on the Belgian government to act now and introduce meaningful reforms to guarantee housing for all. FEANTSA and its partners will continue to monitor the situation and press for justice for those affected.”

Hugo Beersmans, representing the organisations in the Woonzak stated:

“We urge Minister for Housing Melissa Depraetere and the entire Flemish government to engage in meaningful dialogue with organisations working on the ground. It is time to establish a housing pact that prioritises the right to housing and delivers a concrete response to the concerns raised by the European Committee of Social Rights. This ruling must mark a turning point towards a fair and inclusive housing policy.”

The Collective Complaint No. 203/2021 was filed against Belgium, as it is the state that signed the European Social Charter. However, the decision confirms serious violations of the European Social Charter regarding the right to housing in the Flemish region of Belgium, where the regional government holds authority over housing.

Read the full decision at the Council of Europe's website.

About us

FEANTSA is the only European NGO dedicated exclusively to the fight against homelessness. Established in 1989, it brings together national and regional organisations working with homeless people across Europe to promote the right to housing and social inclusion.

Woonzaak is a broad coalition of over 70 organisations advocating for the right to housing in Flanders.

For further information or press inquiries, please contact:

Maria Jose Aldanas: maria.jose.aldanas@feantsa.org. Phone: +32 485 328 305.