Collectief Goed aims to acquire and renovate worn-out and vacant houses, in order to rent them at an affordable price to low-income families with children.
Local
Belgium
Antwerp districts Merksem and Berchem
Mainly urban
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
No
No
Yes
2022-12-31
As a representative of an organisation
Name of the organisation(s): Dirk Depover Type of organisation: Non-profit organisation First name of representative: Dirk Last name of representative: Depover Gender: Male Nationality: Belgium Function: Company Director Address (country of permanent residence for individuals or address of the organisation)<br/>Street and number: Gasstraat 12 Town: Antwerpen Postal code: 2060 Country: Belgium Direct Tel:+32476959504 E-mail:dirk.depover@collectiefgoed.be Website:https://collectiefgoed.be/
In the city of Antwerp (Belgium) the housing problem is outrageous. Lower income families can certainly not afford to buy any house, nor are they able to pay the rent on the private market, where prices are rising exponentially.
These vulnerable families are forced to live in shacks and are at the mercy of slum landlords who charge high rents for small, often damp flats. Their children live in conditions that hinder their proper development. Officially, more than 30% of the children in Antwerp live in poverty, and bad housing aggravates their situation.
The only way out for those families is social housing, which is very lacking. The stock of social housing is less than 25,000 units, while almost 35,000 families are permanently on the waiting list.
Child-rich families even have to wait at least eight years for a multi-room house or appartement, if they are lucky enough to be assigned one. Meanwhile they live in often inhumane conditions, subject to discrimination and health-threatening circumstances.
The cooperative company Collectief Goed was founded in 2015 as a result of action undertaken by a dozen low-income family heads. Collectief Goed is a non-profit social enterprise aiming to acquire and renovate worn-out and vacant houses in order to rent them out at cheap rate, via the Antwerp social rent office.
The organization was not only co-founded by the vulnerable target group, continuing to involve them in the whole of the operation is part of the company's DNA. Our residents are also shareholders and therefore co-owners of the Cooperation.
This participation has positive effects, not only for the residents themselves but also for their environment and by extension for the whole of society.
High quality resident participation leads to a better living quality and more satisfaction. In short to a better life. And this in many areas: improved health, better education for children, more chances to find a job a.s.o.
By the end of 2022 Collectief Goed has provided suitable and affordable habitation in two neighbourhoods for 33 low-income families with three or more children.
Until now, more than 2/3 of these families have actively participated in the creation of, and in the activities of Collectief Goed.
Throughout the participation process residents gain back control over their lives, and build insights on the complex and often bureaucratic functioning of our society.
By providing good housing we provide a better situation that can lead to finding a job, better education for the children or literally giving them the space to develop, and also not in the least durable better financial circumstances for the families.
The combination of such dynamics may also inspire other people in the neighbourhood.
Based on our long term financial plan, Collectief Goed will be growing for at least the next six years. This means more residents, and of course also increasing revenues from rent. If we succeed in realizing a flourishing participatory operation in the coming years, the concerned residents will tantalise (seduce) future residents into the flow. The cooperation is also preparing to seek and receive more funds from investors, authorities , and sponsors.
In terms of environmental aspects, the Collectief Goed activity itself contributes anyway. After all, it is about renovating old environmentally unfriendly homes in accordance with strict environmental standards. They become modern, insulated and energy-friendly houses.
Throughout the participation process residents gain back control over their lives, and build insights on the complex and often bureaucratic functioning of our society. They find new ways of having their voices heard and build more self-confidence. Due to the group process, they are also challenged to find collective solutions and work together, which in turn also strengthens their network.
This empowering model, where vulnerable people take their destiny in own hands is unique. If this participative model succeeds, our aim is to multiply it throughout the country, by promoting this example to governments and politicians, businesses and organizations.
Over 90% of our residents are former refugees, coming from many countries in Africa and Asia.
The project will encourage women to participate fully. Special attention will be given to the position of the women within the resident groups. (Women and also men of specific ethnic-cultural background are often reluctant to take part in meetings where both sexes are present. The net result is that women weigh less on decisions.)
Mutual help among residents and their neighbors is promoted and facilitated.
The residents as a group will gain a stronger position in the neighbourhoods, for instance in relation to authorities and organisations, also in relation to the social rental company.
Flemish government: housing regulation.
City of Antwerp: preparatory support for the project.
Various welfare organisations: founders of the co-operative company.
Housing company: provides old and vacant houses.
Sociale renting company: administrative support.
Prof Oosterlynck and prof Beeckmans: presidents of the board.
Innovative way of renovationg houses.
Heritage-friendly architecture.
Participative process with residents.
High quality resident participation leads to a better living quality and more satisfaction. In short to a better life. And this in many areas: improved health, better education for children, more chances to find a job a.s.o. For these vulnerable families it is a realistic way out of poverty.
Social housing companies in Belgium lack the funds to renovate old houses themselves. Most of the time, these buildings are sold and disappear from the social housing stock.
Co-operatioin between numerous partners. Providing jobs and education to unexperienced newcomers.
The model Collectief Goed can inspire others, and thus contribute to solving the current housing crisis.
