UKRAINE - HOUSING

How is shelter organised?

The federal government launched the campaign #plekvrij. You can sign up at your local government if Ukrainian refugees may stay with you. We call Christians to action to sign up too. Churches: let’s excel in hospitality!

Which residential status do Ukrainians get?

The European Union has decided that Ukrainians don’t have to ask for an asylum. Directly they have the right for protection for one year. This can be extended for a maximum of two times. They do not come in the normal shelters because they have a right for shelter in the normal housing market. However, the offer of this is inadequate.

Where do Ukrainians need to sign up?

Ukrainian refugees need to sign up in Brussels

The new registration centre is in Paleis 8 at Heizel (Verregatsstraat 1, 1020 Brussels). For more information about the centre: https://dofi.ibz.be/en/themes/ukraine/registration-center

DVZ registers all the personal data. In principle, the DVZ will immediately give a ‘certificate temporary protection’ and there will be no longer a intermediate step of ‘pre-registration’.

The registration centre is open 7 days a week from 08:30 to 17:30 and can be reached by metro, line 6, stop Heizel.

Please note: if families are placed via Gave Veste they also most sign up in Brussels.

Update: online resevation

You can now make an online reservation for the registration in Brussels. This will avoid queuing. All details via https://register-ukraine.be/?fbclid=IwAR1CRukj0k9-Vb_RWLBP8juu6vME59pcPL2zRBBZMYXAB5m-zjq0VjWKCRA

The form via: https://register-ukraine.be/en/form/aanmelding-vluchteling-oekraine

What happens after registration?

With the registration in Brussels happens also the first screening. For people who don’t have a place to stay Fedasil will give them crisis shelter for 1 to 2 days. After that people will be placed in shelter at a local level (at the local government). Places that are used right now are hotels, empty houses, shelter by people at home etc.

Do Ukrainians have to sign up directly at Brussels?

No, they have the right to stay in Belgium for 90 days. You can for sure rest for a bit and have a good night of sleep. In the following days Ukrainians can go to Brussels to sign up for a special statute for a year. If they want to, you can go together to the registration office.

Do they need to go the place where all refugees register?

No. Normally they need to sign up at the office in Brussels, but for Ukrainians there is a special registration office.

Signed up in Brussels, and then?

There will be a registration at Brussels and a statute of temporary protection given if the conditions for that are met. With that statute you go to your local government of the person concerned and they will give you an A-card which is valid for a year.

Details:

• Registration at the local government – only if they have a statute of temporary protection and an email with the conformation of that
  • In consultation with the OCMW or if we get the question to visit, you have to make appoints for that.
  • The citizen comes and registers at the scheduled time.
  • What follows is a registration per person (for instance a family with 1 kid are 3 registrations with 3 statues of temporary protection)
  • Appendix 15 (temporary residence document) is given.
  • The police will come after an application for home inspection (to see if you really live at that address)
  • Application for an A-card at the townhall after a positive home inspection

How does it work with insurance and finances?

At the registration things like insurance and finances will be taken care of. They get the statute of a temporary displaced person. This means that these people will be signed up at the register of displaced person with right of residence of one year (is possible to extend). They will get an electronic A-card with all the rights that are connected to that, like welfare, access to work and the right to education.

Temporary protections opens the way for work, social services, family benefits, health insurance and integration.

Do Ukrainians also have the sign up at OCMW or the local government?

Yes. Registration is needed at Brussels and the local government where they have shelter. With the statute that Brussels gives them they get an A-card from the local government. With that they ask for welfare at the OCMW and they have the right to work.

Can I  just shelter Ukrainians?

Yes. Ukrainians have the right to stay in Belgium for 90 days and after registration in Brussels for a year. They have a right for shelter and may seek that at the private housing market. As a host family you can really help with that. Long term shelter at your home is also possible because of a special legal regulation.

Which legal framework is there for shelter?

The federal government launched the campaign #plekvrij. The secretary of state Mahdi calls up the citizens to open their homes temporarily for refugees. This form of solidarity of short-term temporary shelter is separate from long-term housing.

Since the end of 2016 it is possible in Flanders to open your own home and use the free space for them for refugees. Those refugees need to have an asylum or a grant of international protection. To do this you only need to report this at your local government. More information about the rights and obligations concerning this: https://www.woninggezocht.be/wat-we-doen/melding/

Can Ukrainians travel for free with the train?

Yes. Refugees from Ukraine can travel for free in the train in Europe. This is possible after they show their Ukrainian passport.

How does it work with family reunification?

The temporary protection allows for family reunification. If a member of the family is in another EU-country with or without temporary protection, they can request Belgium to join their family in Belgium.

How long does the shelter last?

Keep in mind that it will take a longer than a few weeks, probably it will last for a few months to a year. Most of the refugees hope to return to Ukraine as soon as possible.

Beside that Ukrainians have the right for a house, they have the welfare for that. You may help them with that and with that, their independence. To make the burden lighter we advise to shelter a family with others. Below more tips on that.

Can I ask for a financial compensation for the costs of shelter?

Yes, you do not have to be shy to ask that. From the moment that they will receive a welfare you can ask them to help with the costs. Especially with rising costs for food and energy is this a very reasonable request.

What if it doesn’t click between the family that we give shelter?

Everything starts with making good rules and an agreement at the start. But it is still possible that there just isn’t a click. In case that happens, again this tip: do this together. Within the community you can then look for a solution. Is that also not possible? Make contact with the OCMW. If they also don’t have a solution than the only option left is to go to Brussels again and ask for shelter again.

Will shelter cost me something?

Yes. The shelter of refugees is a beautiful way to show hospitality and love for the stranger. If everything goes well it is also very enriching. Be aware: it will cost you something, but that okay. It would be strange if it would cost you nothing. Go out of your comfort zone, but: don’t be naïve, make sure you are informed and determine what you can handle.

Is there a place where I can get clothes?

For the crisis phase it is possible that you need clothes acute. Belgium Mission Team has a warehouse with clothes that they opened up for this. You have to make an appointment to meet there via +32(0)487859534 or ward@belgianmissionteam.be

Do I have to offer psychological support?

No, to have an listening ear is important but it is not the intention to be a psychologist as a host family. It is better to refer the refugees to official bodies of your local government.

It is important that we don’t over question these people. First of all they need to rest and that is only possible if they trust and gain confidence in their new environment.