Wallonia finances homeless shelters to replace missing federal funding

The Wallonia regional government is providing nearly 600,000 euros to urban social relays to fund the 2026-2027 Grand Froid Plan.

Regional Minister of Solidarities Yves Coppieters announced the move to maintain housing and support services for homeless people during the winter period from November 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027. The region stepped in to cover costs after the federal government removed two funding envelopes of 65,000 euros each intended for Charleroi and Liège.

This marks the second consecutive year that Wallonia has compensated for the missing federal funds to ensure the continuity of social services. The funding supports 465 housing places and 36 additional crisis places across the region. The plan includes specific measures such as 12 beds for women in Charleroi, a 25-bed supplementary shelter and five reserve beds in Liège, and 63 places in Namur.

In Mons, authorities can activate a 30-place shelter if extreme weather conditions cause the system to reach capacity. These measures aim to prevent social crises for vulnerable people by maintaining a consistent safety net.