According to De Standaard, this is apparent from a letter that the competent State Secretary Nicole de Moor (CD&V) sent to the mayors on Friday, together with Fedasil. “It is the first time that we give a premium for this,” said the Fedasil spokeswoman. “Every place counts right now.”
De Moor therefore also counts on the municipalities, although at the same time she speaks threatening language. She points out that she could introduce a mandatory distribution among the municipalities, “as provided for by law”, but she reckons that this will not be necessary. “We will continue to walk the path of voluntary participation.”
However, the premiums do not seem to convince the municipalities. “It’s not about the money for us,” says Nathalie Debast, spokeswoman for the Association of Flemish Cities and Municipalities (VVSG). “The rack is just gone, after the years of yo-yo policy. First the municipalities had to create extra places, then reduce them again and now more. Moreover, there are hardly any places left. The municipal authorities should start renting on the private market, but then they will compete with their own residents, who are already struggling to find a rental home.”