First Months- housing not provided
Asylum process launched, no accommodation provided
The first months in Brussels can be challenging, especially if you have been denied your right to accommodation. This section offers guidance on where to find temporary housing, emergency shelters, and other essential services. You'll learn about food and shower facilities, healthcare access, and how to navigate this period until Fedasil considers your claim and provides accommodation.
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Fedasil does not offer advice or support for asylum seekers who are left on the streets. They do not provide any assistance in finding temporary housing.
Here are housing initiatives offering short or long-term housing solutions for LGBTQI+ folks:
This is the only initiative specifically providing LGBTQI+ housing. Please be aware that their capacity is limited and the process can take around three weeks. Reach out to them via WhatsApp as soon as you are informed by Fedasil that you have not been assigned accommodation.
Here are other housing initiatives with a broader target group:
Provides emergency accommodation and support for those in immediate need. They operate shelters and can offer temporary housing solutions.
L’ILOT call 02/538.59.09 to check
Brusshelp: Brusshelp provides emergency assistance for those who find themselves without a place to stay. This is a starting point if you are left without an accommodation. -
Being without a place to sleep is one of the most precarious situations any human being can find themselves in. This should not be happening to you or anyone else. Even if the Belgian migration institutions are failing you, there are people in the city who want to help:
Don’t hesitate to ask people if you know (even not closely) anyone living in Belgium. If they can’t host you, they might be able to ask their friends and network.
There is a Facebook group dedicated to finding short-term hosts across Belgium. You can join and create a post too.
There are multiple squats (occupied abandoned buildings by people without housing) in Brussels. Here is a map of all the occupied buildings where people are living.
SOMETHING TO KEEP IN MIND: Please bear in mind that choosing a person to host you or a squat to join comes with associated risks. Be especially mindful about the squats you decide to join, as they might not be safe for queer folks.
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Fedasil, after refusing asylum seekers their right to accommodation, does not automatically place them on a waiting list. To be added to this list and potentially secure a spot in a reception center, you need to take further action. Specifically, you should ask your lawyer to make a claim against Fedasil for not providing you with accommodation.
We highly advise you to go through this process. Your lawyer will handle all the necessary steps on your behalf, but you must be the one to initiate this process:
Remember, you have rights, and there are people and initiatives willing to support you. Stay strong and proactive in seeking the support and accommodation you deserve.
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It's difficult to estimate the exact timing for this, but it usually takes a few months before securing a place on the waiting list. The waiting period can be frustratingly long, but considering how lengthy the asylum process can be, it is still worth pursuing.
While you wait, make sure to stay in contact with your lawyer. Your lawyer will handle the necessary steps to make your claim against Fedasil for not providing you with accommodation. Being proactive and persistent is essential to ensure you get the support and housing you deserve.
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Address: 94 - 98 Avenue de Port, 1000 Brussels
Lunch distribution time is at 12:30 – 13-30. They offer meals with drink and dessert every day including weekends.
2. Les Missionnaires de la Charité Les Sœur de Mère Teresa
Address: Avenue de Roi 69, 1060 Saint-Gilles Telephone: +32 2 539 41 17
They offer free warm meal, drink and dessert every day except Thursday from 14:30 to 16:00.
3. Nativitas
Address: 116 - 118 Rue Haute, 1000 Brussels Telephone: +32 2 512 02 35
Email address: nativitas.asbl@gmail.com Website: www.nativitas.be
They have free sandwiches, coffees and desserts and warm meals on Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 13:30.
4. Samaritains
Address: 41 Rue de Samaritaine, 1000 Brussels
Telephone: + 32 472 330 330
Email address:
Website: https://www.les-samaritains.org/en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/514355988660783/
They have meals on Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 13:30 for 1 € but it is ok even if you do not have money to pay.
5. Dream Kitchen
Address: 24 Ropsy Chaudronstraat, 1070 Anderlecht
They offer free meal from Monday to Friday at 12:00 – 14:00.
6. Omar ibn al-Khattab Mosque
Address: 45 Rue de Passchendaele, 1000 Brussels Telephone: +32 489 59 24 44
Moroccans who serve halal warm meals on Wednesday 11:30 - 13:00 next to Petit Chateau. During Ramadan they distribute meals every day at 16:30 – 19:00.
DINNER
1. HUB Humanitaire
Address: 94 - 98 Avenue de Port, 1000 Brussels
Their dinner time is 18:00 – 19:00 which is being offered every day including weekends.
2. Operation Thermos
Address: Bontanique Metro Station (+1 floor), 1000 Brussels Telephone: +32 2 569 45 14/ +32 475 78 53 12
They offer free meal with drink and dessert from 01 October to 30 April every day including weekends at 20:00. They end distribution once they finish the foods around 20:45. Sometimes they distribute other stuffs like toiletries, warm clothes, scarf, gloves, hats, sleeping bags, covers and so on.
3. Notre-Dame aux Riches Claires Church
Address: 36 Rue Saint-Christophe, 1000 Brussels
They offer warm meal every Monday and Thursday at 18h00 – 19h00.
4. Betlhkerk
Address: 403 Chaussee de Haecht, 1030 Schaarbeek
They offer Persian pasta with tomato sauce, boiled eggs and potato and sometimes lentil soup with drinks, waffles every Fridays and Wednesdays at 19h30 – 21h00.
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DoucheFLUX offers showers for 1EUR.
Address: Rue des Vétérinaires 84, 1070 Anderlecht
Opening times: Tuesday to Saturday from 8h30 to 12h00;
Wednesday, only for women
Please, mindful that they have gendered shower rooms and their opennes towards queer identities is not clearly disclosed.
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Nativitas offers showers for 1EUR.Address: Rue Haute 116/118, 1000 Bruxelles
Opening times: Monday to Friday between 9h30-11h30
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Rolling Douche is a mobile (van) shower room offering its services for free.
Place Flagey (directly on the square) on Mondays between 13h30-18h00
Rue des Sols (between Central Station and Mont des Arts) on Wednesdays between 1h30 - 18h00
Esplanade of Europe (Midi Station) on Fridays between 1h30-18h00
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Rue de l'Eglise Saint-Gilles 73 Mardi de 8h30 à 13h30, mercredi et jeudi de 8h30 à 17h, samedi et dimanche de 8h30 à 16h
FM 02/883.63.15
F 02/537.33.33
FOR WOMEN ONLY:
Sisters of Mother Teresa
Address: Avenue du Roi 69
Opening times: Wednesday between 09:00-10:00
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At Bulle you can washa nd dry your clothes for free:
Monday : Place Flagey, Ixelles (13h-18h)
Tuesday : Rue du Monténégro (11h-15h)
Tuesday : Place Cardinal Mercier, Jette (13h-18h)
Wednesday : Rue des Sols (Gare Centrale), Bruxelles (13h-18h)
Thursday: Rue Sainte-Marie, Molenbeek (13h-18h)
Friday : Esplanade de l’Europe (Gare du Midi), Saint-Gilles (11h-15h30)
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DoucheFLUX offers washing machine and dryer for 1EUR.
Address: Rue des Vétérinaires 84, 1070 Anderlecht
Opening times: Tuesday to Saturday from 8h30 to 12h00;
Wednesday, only for women
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Maraudes de Bruxelles +32-24302441
HumanSmile +32 2 410 50 07 Rue Schmitz 62, 1081 Bruxelles
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