The PS-MR-Engagés coalition in Ixelles has decided to mandate a 15% quota of accessible housing in each large student housing project.
From now on, new student housing development projects must include 15% accessible housing in addition to urban planning requirements. The commune will also monitor student housing needs, in partnership with perspective.brussels.
According to a recent study by perspective.brussels, Ixelles accommodates around 40% of the 137,000 students living in Brussels, thanks to the presence of ULB, VUB, and nearby higher education institutions.
The coalition noted that this student influx puts pressure on housing, with rents rising by 26% in three years, reaching €600 a month in Brussels and often more in Ixelles. The 15% reserved accessible housing should not exceed €450 monthly rent.
To meet the 15% quota, developers can work with the Student Social Real Estate Agency or other student aid services.
Urbanism alderwoman Julie de Groote (Les Engagés) stated that the commune had already been approached for the construction of over 2,000 student housing units around universities early this year, adding to the over 3,000 previously authorised units.
To counteract speculative impacts, "we want to immediately place a strong marker by integrating accessible student housing in large projects," she said. "We also want to ensure the planned housing is of high quality."
Mayor Romain De Reusme (PS) believes Ixelles is laying "the foundations of a structured policy that guarantees more equitable access to student housing and preserves neighbourhood diversity."
