Brussels
Brussels

Brussels

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Population (AI)

1,200,000

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Last edited
Dec 12, 2024 9:26 AM
Category
Prio-10CapitalPrio-25
Local programs

In Brussels, the targets for affordable and sustainable housing are aimed at addressing the housing affordability crisis and promoting community development. Key initiatives include: 1. **Community Land Trusts (CLTs):** The city supports CLTs, such as the Community Land Trust Brussels (CLTB), which provides permanently affordable housing by taking land out of the speculative market and ensuring long-term accessibility. 2. **Sustainable Housing Projects:** Projects like Savonnerie Heymans, a former soap factory turned into a sustainable housing project, demonstrate the city's commitment to green renovations and energy efficiency. 3. **Collaborative Programs:** The city collaborates with European projects like SHICC (Sustainable Housing for Inclusive and Cohesive Cities) to promote CLTs and create a supportive policy and funding environment. 4. **Funding Mechanisms:** CLTB receives subsidies from the Belgian government, such as €2 million per year, to develop new public housing projects. 5. **European Integration:** Brussels participates in broader European initiatives like SHAPE-EU, which aims to support socially inclusive renovations and new European Bauhaus projects, ensuring that housing remains affordable and sustainable. These programs and funding mechanisms work together to create more affordable and sustainable housing options in Brussels, aligning with national and European goals.

Housing Market

**Summary of the Brussels Housing Market:** The Brussels housing market has experienced a slight cooldown in 2024, with prices stabilizing and even decreasing slightly in some areas. Key statistics include: - **Average House Price**: €554,137, a 1.5% decrease from 2023. - **Average Apartment Price**: €280,520, with a slight fall of 0.3%. - **Rental Prices**: Average rent in Brussels is €1,188 per month, with an increase of 3.3% in the first half of 2023. - **Total Housing Units**: Specific data on the total number of housing units in Brussels is not provided in the sources. - **Ownership vs. Rental**: No exact figures are available in the provided sources, but it is noted that more than 90% of rentals in Brussels are flats. **Public, Social, and Cooperative Housing:** - **Social Housing**: There is a significant demand for social housing, with over 60,000 households on the waiting list. - **Affordability**: Housing affordability remains a pressing issue, especially in Brussels, where nearly 40% of the population is at risk of poverty or social exclusion. - **Rental Increases**: Rents have risen significantly, especially in large cities like Brussels, with an 8.6% increase, exceeding inflation levels. **Median Price per Sqm:** - **Buying**: The average purchase price in Brussels is around €4,300 per square meter for new-build homes. - **Renting**: Specific data on the median price per square meter to rent is not provided in the sources, but average monthly rents for apartments exceed €1,200.

Further Actors?

In Brussels, several organizations and individuals could be valuable conversation partners and collaborators for building more affordable and sustainable housing. Here are some key entities across different sectors: 1. **NGOs and Housing Cooperatives**: - **Community Land Trust Brussels (CLTB)**: A pioneering organization in affordable housing, focusing on community-led projects where residents own homes but not the land, ensuring long-term affordability. - **Savonnerie Heymans**: A social housing project that transformed a former soap factory into sustainable housing, showcasing green renovation and community spaces. 2. **Local Administration and Political Parties**: - **Brussels Capital Region**: The regional government has been supportive of initiatives like CLTB and has policies aimed at increasing social housing and sustainability. - **Social Rental Office for Neighbourhoods**: This non-profit organization manages social housing projects, including the fossil-free apartments in Schaerbeek. 3. **Architecture Firms**: - **MDW Architecture**: Known for their work on Savonnerie Heymans, they specialize in sustainable and community-focused housing projects. 4. **Impact Investors and Real Estate Developers**: - **ION**: A project developer that has worked on sustainable social housing projects, such as the fossil-free apartments in Schaerbeek. 5. **Academic Institutions**: - **Universities and research centers** in Brussels could provide valuable insights and research on sustainable and affordable housing models. Engaging with these diverse stakeholders can foster collaborative efforts to address Brussels' housing challenges.

Cooperatives

In Brussels, housing cooperatives play a significant role in providing affordable housing through collaborative ownership. These cooperatives are part of a broader European movement, with organizations like Housing Europe, the European Federation of Public, Cooperative and Social Housing, supporting their development. In Brussels, the cooperative housing model is gaining increasing support as a sustainable alternative to traditional rental and purchase models. The Brussels Metropolitan Area (BMA) actively supports various organizations looking to take action in this regard, emphasizing the importance of proper land planning and easier access to financial institutions. While specific data on the market share and number of cooperatives in Brussels is not provided in the sources, it is noted that cooperative housing is becoming a third pillar alongside public and private housing projects in the city. Recent activities and events organized by BMA and other organizations, such as NETCO, CLTB, and IRIB, indicate growing interest and support for cooperative housing in Brussels. Lighthouse projects and specific financial support programs are not detailed in the provided sources, but the overall trend suggests that Brussels is fostering a supportive environment for cooperative housing initiatives.