Belgium

Younited Belgium

Younited Belgium is a social sports project designed to motivate and help homeless people reintegrate into society. Consisting of 28 teams from around Beligum, Younited works through a combination of sports and social activities, and aims to raise awareness and challenge stereotypes of homelessness as well as offering players a chance to build their confidence, improve their self image, and feel supported.

Organisation Details

Participants

Men and women with no home, in temporary dwellings, in shelters, affected by substance abuse, and undocumented immigrants

Locations

Across Belgium, including Namur, Antwerp, Ronse, Mons, Brussels, Tongerlo, Gent, Lier, and Antwerp

Homelessness Statistics

From one count in November 2016, there were 3,386 people experiencing homelessness in Brussels. This is a 96% increase since 2008.

In Flanders in 2014, there were 764 in winter emergency accommodation, 4,694 houseless people – including 1,675 children, and 599 people threatened with eviction counted during a one month survey.

In Wallonia, 5,638 people used the emergency accommodation scheme in 2016.

(FEANTSA, 2019, p.98)