2023-08-23 16:31:10
These are two houses, belonging to the Habitat InVesdre cooperative and completely renovated following the floods of July 2021, which were inaugurated in the presence of the Minister of Social Action and Social Economy, Christie Morreale (PS).
One is located in the district of Prés-Javais, rue Raymond and the other in Ensival, rue Neuve. The project responds to an urgent request: “Today, two years after the floods, we realize that there are still 33 households that do not have a permanent housing solution in the Verviers district”, including around ten of large families supports Anne Delvenne, general coordinator of the Urban Social Relay of Verviers (RSUV).
Renovation work on the two buildings took place from March 2023 to August 2023. ©- CT
The accommodations were not chosen by chance. On the ground, the RSUV notes that affected families are still looking for accommodation in their neighborhoods, “in order not to be uprooted and cut off from their networks. In particular concerning the school life of children, it is important for them not to having to change schools in addition to other difficulties”, continues Anne Delvenne.
Subsidies needed
“We would not have been able to finish the work if we had not obtained the subsidies from the Walloon Region”, affirms Julien Mestrez, vice-president of Habitat InVesdre. The total renovation budget for Ensival amounts to €321,500, including €180,000 in subsidies; in the district of Prés-Javais to €275,245 including €180,000 in subsidies. “Co-operatives are a complement and an alternative to the traditional economy”, emphasizes the Minister of Social Economy, Christie Morreale (PS).
The partners insisted on stressing the importance of collaboration between the private sector and the public. ©CT
These social housing units intended for two large families have not yet been allocated. Remember that the latter will benefit from support provided by the Urban Social Relay of Verviers. It will allow them to tend towards autonomy. “It’s a support that is not limited in time because difficulties can arise at any time”, specifies the general coordinator of the RSUV.
The purple line represents the level that the water reached during the July 2021 floods. ©- CT
Note that it will be possible to visit the buildings this Saturday, August 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Significant public/private cooperation
The Habitat InVesdre cooperative and the Relais Social Urbain signed the agreement to make the property available on the occasion of the inauguration. Habitat InVesdre remains the owner of the buildings. ©- CT
Habitat InVesdre surrounds itself with many partners to bring its social housing projects to fruition, including the City of Verviers. “We help them find empty buildings to renovate. It is important that this kind of initiative exists because the shorter administrative procedures allow them to carry out projects more quickly than us (cfr: public contracts)”, indicates the alderman of Housing Verviers Antoine Lukoki (PS).
Indeed, the two buildings acquired in December 2022 and January 2022 were able to be inaugurated at the end of August 2023.
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