Roeselare Urges Neighboring Towns to Contribute to Homeless Shelter Funding

Roeselare – The city of Roeselare is urging surrounding municipalities to contribute financially to its night shelter services for homeless people. With only 21 beds available, the facility is frequently stretched, as individuals from neighboring towns increasingly seek overnight refuge. Located in the Flemish province of West Flanders, Belgium, Roeselare is now considering stricter eligibility criteria for access to its shelters.

Although approximately 90% of the people using the shelter are Roeselare residents, a growing number come from adjacent municipalities. In response, the city is requesting financial cooperation from those local governments whose residents also benefit from the shelter. The move aims to alleviate the pressure caused by high demand and limited capacity.

To address the issue, Roeselare plans to introduce revised admission criteria, tied to whether or not a person’s home municipality contributes to the shelter’s funding. A formal proposal is expected to be submitted to neighboring authorities this summer, with the new system anticipated for implementation soon afterward, according to a report by VRT.

“There is a lot of demand for night shelters,”

said Alderman Bart Wenes (CD&V), who oversees policy for the OCMW, the local public social welfare office.

“In many places, the demand is greater than the supply, and that is also the case in Roeselare. Every day we have to disappoint people. 90% of them come from Roeselare, but now and then there are also people from other municipalities in the area.”

“We now want to be a bit stricter in our selection procedure. That is why we will ask the surrounding municipalities to also contribute financially for their people who stay in our night shelter. People from municipalities that do not do this, we will unfortunately have to refuse. Although I am confident that most municipalities will make a contribution.”

What is the background of Roeselare’s night shelter challenges?

The challenges facing Roeselare’s night shelter stem from a combination of growing homelessness, societal resistance, and debates over shelter formats. Like many cities, Roeselare has seen an increase in homelessness driven by systemic issues such as job losses, breakdowns in relationships, and the lack of adequate social safety nets.

Efforts to create or expand shelters often encounter local resistance from nearby residents and property owners, contributing to delays and complications in shelter development. In addition, there continues to be a debate over the best type of shelter model: communal spaces that foster a sense of solidarity versus private accommodations that can sometimes lead to social isolation or mental health challenges.

Funding consistency and coordination between local governments and social services are also crucial. Roeselare’s current situation highlights the broader logistical and societal issues involved in addressing homelessness in a comprehensive and sustainable way.