Families with children are now facing homelessness on the streets of Brussels, a direct consequence of the new federal asylum regulations. On 2025-08-15 16:57:00, Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen reported encountering several families seeking help, including an Afghan family with three young children left without shelter.
- Families with children live homeless in Brussels
- New federal asylum rules cause homelessness
- Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen fails to arrange emergency shelter
- Minister Van Bossuyt aims to prevent "asylum shopping"
- New law denies shelter if protected elsewhere
- Organization urges government to reverse harsh policy
The organisation was unable to secure emergency accommodation for these vulnerable groups. A staff member described the family as “completely lost,” seen later on the busy Kleine Ring, with the mother desperately shielding her children from traffic. How can Belgium allow children to end up in such distressing conditions?
These events highlight the unintended effects of stricter asylum policies introduced by Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt, which aim to prevent “asylum shopping” but may instead punish those already fleeing hardship. What does this mean for Belgium’s commitment to protecting vulnerable refugees?
Is the government’s approach balancing deterrence with humanity? Critics argue the new law forces refugees twice to suffer: first in countries like Greece with limited support, then on Belgian streets. Key points include:
- Asylum seekers lose access to Belgian shelter if previously protected in another EU state.
- Families, including children, are left vulnerable and homeless in Brussels.
- The policy aims to stop “asylum shopping” but may increase social harm.
- Calls grow for reversing the “harsh” measure to protect the most vulnerable.
Belgium must reconsider its asylum rules to ensure no child sleeps on the street. Will policymakers act swiftly to restore dignity and safety for refugee families? The coming weeks will be crucial for shaping a more compassionate approach.
