The Flemish government has decided that social housing tenants who inherit part of a property will no longer lose their right to social housing.
In 2019, Flanders tightened the rules for social housing tenants and those on the waiting list. Anyone who owned, or partially owned, a property lost their right to social housing.
This measure caused issues for people who inherited part of a property, prompting the Flemish Tenants’ Platform to challenge the rule in the Council of State, which overturned it last September.
Flemish Housing Minister Melissa Depraetere previously criticised the measure as “absurd and antisocial.” She argued that “those who own a home do not need social housing, but those who inherit a small portion should not be penalised for it.”
The ownership requirements will be adjusted so that those inheriting part of a property can retain their right to social housing. However, those who deliberately give away part of their property to circumvent the rules will not qualify. “This ensures social housing reaches those in need and prevents misuse,” Depraetere explained.
People evicted from social housing due to the measure will now receive priority for a new social housing allocation. This was described as “only fair”. Those removed from the waiting list because of the measure will regain their original position.
The Flemish government gave the adjustment its first draft approval on Friday. Once it is definitively approved, affected individuals will be able to contact the housing authority.
Flemish MP Fourat Ben Chikha (Groen), who had questioned the Housing Minister on the matter on multiple occasions, expressed satisfaction that the minister had acted on their suggestion to restore the original waiting list positions.
“However, many not only lost their place due to this antisocial measure but also suffered financially. Hopefully, the minister will introduce financial compensation as well,” Ben Chikha told Belga News Agency.
