Fifteen Ukrainian families are expected to move into container houses located on the “Chant des Cailles” site in Watermael-Boitsfort. The Brussels region has chosen this site for the “reversible” development of temporary housing out of 14 potential sites identified. The project cost amounts to €1.7 million, with the containers purchased for future reuse by Société du Logement de la Région de Brussels-Capitale during upcoming renovation projects. A group of local residents, friends of Chant des Cailles, and nature defenders gathered at the initiative of the Tuiniersforum des Jardiniers to protest against the project, claiming that it’s a first step towards permanent social housing installation on the site as desired by the region.
In Watermael-Boitsfort, about fifteen Ukrainian families should soon settle in container houses placed on the site of the “Chant des Cailles”. The Brussels region has selected this land for the “reversible” development of temporary housing from a list of 14 potential sites identified. The cost of the project amounts to 1.7 million euros (the containers having been purchased with a view to their subsequent reuse by the Société du Logement de la Région de Bruxelles-Capitale, during future renovation projects). This Saturday, a few dozen local residents, friends of the Chant des Cailles and nature defenders gathered at the initiative of the Tuiniersforum des Jardiniers to denounce this project which, according to them, would be a first step towards the permanent social housing that the region wishes to install on the site.
The debate over the use of the “Chant des Cailles” site for temporary housing continues, as some locals voice concerns about the possibility of permanent social housing being established there in the future. While the arrival of Ukrainian families to the container houses is imminent, it remains to be seen what the long-term plans for the site will be. The Brussels region’s decision to pursue temporary housing as a solution to the city’s housing crisis is an important step, but it’s clear that there is still work to be done in terms of ensuring that such projects are implemented in a way that is sensitive to the concerns of local communities. As this story unfolds, we’ll be following the developments closely and reporting on any new developments.