Navigation – Plan du site

AccueilPublicationsFact Sheets2026Increase in homelessness in Bruss...

2026
213

Increase in homelessness in Brussels. Findings from the 2024 count

Brussels Studies fact sheet
Croissance du sans-chez-soirisme à Bruxelles. Ce que montre le dénombrement de 2024
Toename van dak- en thuisloosheid in Brussel. Wat de telling van 2024 aantoont
Adèle Pierre
Traduction de Jane Corrigan
Cet article est une traduction de :
Croissance du sans-chez-soirisme à Bruxelles. Ce que montre le dénombrement de 2024 [fr]
Autre(s) traduction(s) de cet article :
Toename van dak- en thuisloosheid in Brussel. Wat de telling van 2024 aantoont [nl]

Résumés

La nuit du 6 au 7 novembre 2024, 9 777 personnes sans-chez-soi ont été recensées en Région de Bruxelles Capitale. À méthodologie égale, ce chiffre représente une hausse de 25 % par rapport au dénombrement de 2022. Cette évolution s’explique à la fois par la dégradation persistante de l’accès au logement, en particulier pour les publics les plus précarisés, et par l’augmentation des situations les plus extrêmes, telles que la vie à la rue, en logements non conventionnels ou par le recours de plus en plus fréquent aux structures d’urgence, étroitement lié à l'augmentation des capacités d'accueil. Ces résultats mettent également en lumière une orientation des politiques publiques largement centrée sur la réponse immédiate. Alors que les dispositifs d’hébergement d’urgence connaissent une croissance marquée, les maisons d’accueil, mieux adaptées à un accompagnement à moyen terme, n’ont progressé que de manière marginale. Cette dynamique traduit un déséquilibre persistant, où la mise à l’abri prévaut sur la stabilisation des parcours et la construction de sorties durables du sans-chez-soirisme.

Haut de page

Notes de la rédaction

In order to see the figures in higher resolution, go to the article online and click “Original” below them.

Notes de l’auteur

This study was carried out as part of the Bruss'help (a non-profit association under public law funded by COCOM) homelessness count. The report is available at: https://brusshelp.org/index.php/fr/missions/analyse/les-chiffres

Texte intégral

Introduction

1In a context of growing social precariousness and increasing difficulty in accessing housing, accurately documenting the reality of homelessness has become a central issue in guiding frontline organisations and public policy. Too often, people experiencing homelessness fall outside official statistics, particularly when they live in informal accommodation. To address this lack of data, Bruss’help has been organising a biennial count of people experiencing homelessness. Based on the European ETHOS Light typology, the count covers a broad range of housing precariousness, extending well beyond the sole focus on people sleeping in public spaces (Figure 1).

2This fact sheet summarises the main findings from the most recent count: key figures, population profiles and implications for social policy.

Figure 1. ETHOS Light typology adapted to the Brussels context

ETHOS Light category

Living situation

1. People living in public spaces

Indoor public spaces (railway stations, metro stations, car parks, etc.) and outdoor public spaces (streets, green spaces, etc.)

2. People in emergency accommodation

Night shelters, emergency or crisis accommodation centres

3. People in accommodation centres

3.1. Reception centres

3.2. Transitional housing

3.3. Social hotel scheme

4. People leaving an institution

4.1. Healthcare institutions

4.2. Penal institutions

4.3. Facilities for asylum seekers

5. People living in non-conventional housing

5.1. Squats

5.2. Occupancy agreements

5.3. Non-recognised accommodation facilities

6. People living temporarily with friends or family

Conventional housing which is not the usual place of residence

7. People threatened with eviction

Enforcement of an eviction order

1. A mixed approach

3The Brussels count is based on collaboration between professionals, volunteers and partners from a wide range of sectors (health, transport, prevention services, police, CPAS). These stakeholders are involved in identifying structures, collecting data and analysing results [Quittelier and Horvat 2019]. The methodology combines night counts, institutional data and surveys, making it possible to cover situations which are difficult to document, such as squats or non-recognised accommodation facilities.

4Counting people in public spaces: on the night of the count, teams survey the region between 11pm and midnight, according to zones defined with the expertise of social workers.

5Data from reception facilities: shelters, accommodation, care and prevention facilities provide their figures, including non-recognised organisations.

6Questionnaires: finally, each organisation supporting homeless people completes an individual questionnaire for all target groups. It was identical nationwide and was developed by teams at KU Leuven [Mertens et al., 2025].

1.1. Complementary methods

7Of the questionnaires completed by the facilities, 4,553 were selected for analysis. Their breakdown according to ETHOS category is broadly consistent with the street count, although some groups may be over-represented depending on the profile of the participating organisations. Conversely, the most precarious or least visible situations – such as people sleeping in public spaces (ETHOS 1) or in non-conventional housing (ETHOS 5) – remain under-represented, as they are less connected to services or more difficult to document.

8These limitations are a reminder that questionnaires provide a useful but partial picture of homelessness and underscore the importance of combining methods for the count.

Figure 2. Comparison of persons counted by data collection method: quantitative results (data + street count) and questionnaires

Figure 2. Comparison of persons counted by data collection method: quantitative results (data + street count) and questionnaires

2. Key figures

2.1. Number of people and housing situations

9On the night of 6-7 November 2024, 9,777 homeless people were counted in the Brussels-Capital Region (based on quantitative data collection), i.e. 7.8 per 1,000 inhabitants. This rate is significantly higher than those observed in Flanders (1.08 ‰) and Wallonia (2.97 ‰), highlighting the scale of homelessness in Brussels [Mertens et al., 2025].

Figure 3. Number of people counted according to housing situation

Figure 3. Number of people counted according to housing situation

Sources: street count and data from accommodation facilities

  • 1 The Brussels Deal is a co-financing arrangement between the federal government and the Brussels-Cap (...)

10The increase in the number of people counted in public spaces – interrupted only in 2020 (Figure 4) – illustrates the growth of the most extreme forms of homelessness. Emergency accommodation has grown even faster, particularly over the past two years as a result of the Brussels Deal1.

11By contrast, accommodation centres have remained stable due to limited capacity. While they accounted for 45 % of provision in 2008, reception centres now represent only 9 %, reducing access to sustained psychosocial support and hindering long-term exits from homelessness.

12People leaving institutions are more clearly identified thanks to improved documentation.

13Non-conventional housing represents the largest category, although it remains difficult to measure due to its volatility. The increase partly reflects improved identification of squats, occupancy agreements and non-recognised accommodation facilities.

14Finally, accommodation with third parties – integrated into the count in 2022 – has increased, notably due to greater participation by CPAS. This form of homelessness nevertheless remains largely underestimated, as it is particularly difficult to quantify.

Figure 4. Trends in the number of people counted according to housing situation from 2008 to 2024

Figure 4. Trends in the number of people counted according to housing situation from 2008 to 2024

Sources: street count and data from accommodation facilities

2.2. Gender

15Although men remain the majority among completed questionnaires, these results must be interpreted in light of research on women’s homelessness [Reeve, 2008; Paquot, 2022]. Studies show that women experiencing homelessness more often adopt concealment strategies or rely on informal solutions to avoid the streets and protect themselves from gender-based violence. These dynamics affect the visibility of women in homelessness counts.

Figure 5. Distribution by gender

Figure 5. Distribution by gender

Source: questionnaires

2.3. Age

16Count data show a sustained increase in the number of minors since 2018, confirming that homelessness also affects children and families. While unaccompanied minors remain few, it is important to note that 1,272 accompanied minors were identified through their parents’ questionnaires. As they were not surveyed directly, they do not appear in Figure 6, which presents a demographic profile essentially centred on the middle age groups.

Figure 6. Distribution by age

Figure 6. Distribution by age

Source: questionnaires

2.4. Nationality

17The significant proportion of European Union nationals raises questions (Figure 7), particularly in a context of free movement. While these individuals are legally entitled to reside temporarily in Belgium, many hope to find work quickly but encounter inaccessible housing conditions (high rents, lack of guarantors, administrative insecurity) or experience social breakdowns shortly after arrival [Striano, 2022]. In the absence of support, such pathways can quickly lead to homelessness.

18The category of people recorded as stateless should be interpreted with caution, as it is likely to include individuals without valid residence documents.

Figure 7. Distribution by nationality

Figure 7. Distribution by nationality

Source: questionnaires

2.5. Residence status

19Among the non-Belgian people experiencing homelessness for whom a questionnaire was completed, 25.3 % had no valid residence permit, highlighting the scale of homelessness linked to an irregular administrative status.

20A further 7.4 % were in an ongoing procedure, often awaiting a decision, with provisional documents providing only limited access to rights. Another 10.4 % had a temporary residence permit linked to specific situations (subsidiary protection, family reunification, medical grounds, etc.). Although this status grants some access to rights, it remains conditional on regular renewals, which can result in administrative disruption.

Figure 8. Distribution by residence status (excluding Belgians and persons of unknown nationality)

Figure 8. Distribution by residence status (excluding Belgians and persons of unknown nationality)

Source: questionnaires

2.6. Household composition

21The vast majority of people counted are single adults without children. This confirms that homelessness is predominantly experienced individually, partly reflecting migration histories which are often undertaken alone.

22Single-parent families are largely composed of women with children (90.5 % of people in this category are women). Couples, with or without children, remain very rare, likely due to the limited suitability of accommodation services for these household configurations.

Figure 9. Distribution by household composition

Figure 9. Distribution by household composition

Sources: street count and data from accommodation facilities

2.7. Income

23The analysis of types of income does not reflect the number of people or questionnaires, as individuals could report several sources of income. These data (mentions) nevertheless reveal trends in terms of precariousness.

24Among those for whom information was collected, 36.9 % have no official income, reflecting severe economic exclusion and greatly limiting access to housing.

25Social integration income is the main source of subsistence (38.8 %), underlining the central role of CPAS in meeting basic needs.

26Only 4.8 % report income from paid employment, illustrating the many barriers to labour market integration faced by people experiencing homelessness.

Figure 10. Distribution by type of income (mentions)

Figure 10. Distribution by type of income (mentions)

Source: questionnaires

2.8. Origins of homelessness

27Among the reasons cited for the loss or absence of housing (with multiple responses possible), migration is the most frequent (32 %), illustrating the vulnerability of migrants, particularly those without residence permits. Limited access to legal housing options, administrative barriers and restricted access to support services are contributing factors [Demaerschalk et al., 2018].

28Overall, these figures show that homelessness is rarely attributable to a single cause. It seldom results from one isolated event [Mayock and Sheridan, 2012]. Rather, it is due to an accumulation of multiple factors which, combined, lead to housing instability and recurrent homelessness [De Decker and Segers, 2014].

Figure 11. Distribution by origin of homelessness (mentions)

Figure 11. Distribution by origin of homelessness (mentions)

Source: questionnaires

2.9. Duration of homelessness

  • 2 Within this group (n = 1284), 328 people (8.95 %) report having been without stable housing for mor (...)

29Among the 3,665 people whose ETHOS Light category was known on the night of the count, those housed in emergency facilities (ETHOS 2) are the most likely to report long-term homelessness. One quarter2 of people in emergency accommodation have been without a stable housing solution for more than a year, calling into question the idea that these facilities are intended exclusively for short-term stays.

30This finding is consistent with research on pathways through emergency accommodation. Several studies highlight the risk of institutionalising homelessness when short-term solutions become prolonged due to the lack of structural alternatives [Pleace, 2016; Serme-Morin et al., 2022].

Figure 12. Distribution by duration of homelessness

Figure 12. Distribution by duration of homelessness

Source: questionnaires

Conclusion

31The results of this count confirm a steady increase in the number of homeless people, often with long histories and highly mixed profiles. This trend is partly explained by the difficulty of exiting emergency accommodation, which – due to the lack of alternatives – tends to become a long-term solution. At the same time, integration options such as reception centres or transitional housing remain limited, unable to meet demand or offer sustainable exit pathways.

32The strong presence of people without residence permits, for whom access to housing and rights is restricted, further exacerbates these dynamics. In a context of structural inadequacy within the federal reception system, many turn to emergency services, which increasingly become the default option.

33A homelessness count does more than describe a situation: it creates accountability. It commits the public authorities to “being held to account” [Drilling et al., 2020] and to reviewing priorities. It also commits the sector to asserting realities on the ground in defence of policies based on needs and rights. Only under these conditions can we move beyond crisis management and build sustainable pathways out of homelessness.

We would like to thank the 400 professionals and volunteers who worked so hard to collect data and to set up and carry out the in-depth surveys. We would also like to thank the public authorities for their active involvement, which grows stronger with each event.

Haut de page

Bibliographie

DE DECKER, Pascal and SEGERS, Kaatje, 2014. Chaotic, fluid and unstable: An exploration of the complex housing trajectories of homeless people in Flanders, Belgium. In: Journal of Housing and the Built Environment. Vol. 29, No 4, pp. 595-614

DEMAERSCHALK, Evelien, ITALIANO, Patrick, MONDELAERS, Nicole, STEENSSENS, Katrien, SCHEPERS, Wouter and BIRCAN, Tuba, 2018. MEHOBEL: Measuring homelessness in Belgium. Final report. Brussels: BELSPO. BR/154/A4/MEHOBEL. Available at: https://www.belspo.be/belspo/brain-be/projects/FinalReports/MEHOBEL_summ_en.pdf

DRILLING, Matthias, DITTMANN, Jörg, ONDRUŠOVÁ, Darina, TELLER, Nóra and MONDELAERS, Nicole, 2020. Measuring Homelessness by City Counts: Experiences from European Cities. In: European Journal of Homelessness. Vol. 14, No 3. Available at: https://www.feantsa.org/files/Observatory/Journals/Volume-14/V14-3/EJH_14-3_A4_web2.pdf

MARQUARDT, Nadine, 2016. Counting the Countless: Statistics on Homelessness and the Spatial Ontology of Political Numbers. In: Environment and Planning D: Society and Space. Vol. 34, No 2, pp. 301-318. Available at: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0263775815611421

MAYCOCK, Paula and SHERIDAN, Sarah, 2012. Migrant women and homelessness: Key findings from a biographical study of homeless women in Ireland. Dublin: Health Service Executive (HSE).

MERTENS, Nana, DEMAERSCHALK, Evelien, MARANA, Anna-Laura, HERMANS, Koen, DE MOOR, Nicolas, MORIAU, Josepha and WAGENER, Martin, 2025. Dénombrement du sans-abrisme et de l’absence de chez-soi. Rapport global. Leuven: LUCAS KU Leuven. Available at: https://luttepauvrete.be/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/Rapport-global-2024.pdf

PAQUOT, Louise, 2022. Dénombrement des personnes sans-chez-soi en Région de Bruxelles-Capitale. Brussels: Bruss’Help. Available at: https://brusshelp.org/images/Rapport_denombrement_2022_FR.pdf

QUILGARS, Deborah and PLEACE, Nicholas, 2016. Housing First and Social Integration: A Realistic Aim? In: Social Inclusion. Vol. 4, No 4, pp. 5-15 Available at: https://www.cogitatiopress.com/socialinclusion/article/view/672

REEVE, Kesia, 2008. Homeless women in public spaces: Strategies of resistance. In: Housing Studies. Vol. 23, No 6.

SERME-MORIN, Chloé and COUPECHOUX, Sarah (eds.), 2022. The 7th Overview of Housing Exclusion in Europe. Brussels: Fondation Abbé Pierre and FEANTSA. Available at: https://www.feantsa.org/resources/7th-overview-of-housing-exclusion-in-europe-2022

STRIANO, Mauro, 2022. Mobile EU citizens experiencing homelessness in Brussels: Access to rights, employment, and healthcare. Brussels: FEANTSA. Available at: file:///Users/mhardy/Downloads/FEA%20008-21%20report%20Brussels_EN_v2%20(1).pdf

VAN GAENS, Sarah, 2024. Les profils des personnes sans-abri et sans titre de séjour. Brussels: Bruss’Help. Available at: https://brusshelp.org/images/Rapport_Profils-des-personnes-sans-abri-et-sans-titre-de-sejour_FR.pdf

Haut de page

Notes

1 The Brussels Deal is a co-financing arrangement between the federal government and the Brussels-Capital Region for the creation of 2,000 emergency places to respond temporarily to the reception crisis.

2 Within this group (n = 1284), 328 people (8.95 %) report having been without stable housing for more than two years, and 107 people (2.92 %) for one to two years.

Haut de page

Table des illustrations

Titre Figure 2. Comparison of persons counted by data collection method: quantitative results (data + street count) and questionnaires
URL http://journals.openedition.org/brussels/docannexe/image/9016/img-1.png
Fichier image/png, 170k
Titre Figure 3. Number of people counted according to housing situation
Crédits Sources: street count and data from accommodation facilities
URL http://journals.openedition.org/brussels/docannexe/image/9016/img-2.png
Fichier image/png, 237k
Titre Figure 4. Trends in the number of people counted according to housing situation from 2008 to 2024
Crédits Sources: street count and data from accommodation facilities
URL http://journals.openedition.org/brussels/docannexe/image/9016/img-3.png
Fichier image/png, 273k
Titre Figure 5. Distribution by gender
Crédits Source: questionnaires
URL http://journals.openedition.org/brussels/docannexe/image/9016/img-4.png
Fichier image/png, 172k
Titre Figure 6. Distribution by age
Crédits Source: questionnaires
URL http://journals.openedition.org/brussels/docannexe/image/9016/img-5.png
Fichier image/png, 84k
Titre Figure 7. Distribution by nationality
Crédits Source: questionnaires
URL http://journals.openedition.org/brussels/docannexe/image/9016/img-6.png
Fichier image/png, 302k
Titre Figure 8. Distribution by residence status (excluding Belgians and persons of unknown nationality)
Crédits Source: questionnaires
URL http://journals.openedition.org/brussels/docannexe/image/9016/img-7.png
Fichier image/png, 88k
Titre Figure 9. Distribution by household composition
Crédits Sources: street count and data from accommodation facilities
URL http://journals.openedition.org/brussels/docannexe/image/9016/img-8.png
Fichier image/png, 95k
Titre Figure 10. Distribution by type of income (mentions)
Crédits Source: questionnaires
URL http://journals.openedition.org/brussels/docannexe/image/9016/img-9.png
Fichier image/png, 107k
Titre Figure 11. Distribution by origin of homelessness (mentions)
Crédits Source: questionnaires
URL http://journals.openedition.org/brussels/docannexe/image/9016/img-10.png
Fichier image/png, 68k
Titre Figure 12. Distribution by duration of homelessness
Crédits Source: questionnaires
URL http://journals.openedition.org/brussels/docannexe/image/9016/img-11.png
Fichier image/png, 40k
Haut de page

Pour citer cet article

Référence électronique

Adèle Pierre, « Increase in homelessness in Brussels. Findings from the 2024 count »Brussels Studies [En ligne], Fact Sheets, document 213, mis en ligne le 11 février 2026, consulté le 12 mars 2026. URL : http://journals.openedition.org/brussels/9016 ; DOI : https://doi.org/10.4000/15o1m

Haut de page

Auteur

Adèle Pierre

Adèle Pierre is a researcher at the Observatoire de Bruss'help, where she coordinates counts of homeless people in the Brussels region. As part of her work at Bruss’help and her doctoral studies, her research focuses on access to rights for homeless people, with a focus on the reference address system. With Laure Lise Robben (KU Leuven), she co-published an article devoted to this system.
adele.pierre[at]brusshelp.org

Articles du même auteur

Haut de page

Droits d’auteur

CC-BY-4.0

Le texte seul est utilisable sous licence CC BY 4.0. Les autres éléments (illustrations, fichiers annexes importés) sont susceptibles d’être soumis à des autorisations d’usage spécifiques.

Haut de page
Rechercher dans OpenEdition Search

Vous allez être redirigé vers OpenEdition Search