Belgium/Chaudfontaine: 30 residential caravans to accommodate disaster victims
In Chaudfontaine, the house of Marc Renwa was flooded last July. There is still a lot of work to be done. "We have to pour the floor screed this month. The electricity and plumbing will follow. The radiators need to be installed. Gyproc panels are planned," he explains.
The family will leave the mobile home
The Renwa family lives in a mobile home where conditions are difficult on a daily basis. Marc Renwa continues:"It's very depressing. We wonder what we can do to move our family more quickly, so that we don't stay like this. As a father, it's not easy.
Warmth and space
The bright spot for this family was the accommodation provided by the municipality of Chaudfontaine. The couple discovered it. "It 's great," explains Catherine Van Mulem. "It's much better than the mobile home. At least we will have warmth, space. I think it's great. It will take a few more days before we can move in. Marc Renwa is very happy: "We're looking forward to moving in. It looks very cosy. We have plenty of room, it's really nice.
A contribution is required
The Magotteaux company is making the site available free of charge for a period of twenty-four months. Thirty structures will therefore be available. The public authorities have made funds available for the installation. Daniel Bacquelaine, mayor, explains: "There is the rental of the infrastructure for six months. The amount is 500,000 euros. There is also the construction of the housing estate. In return, we ask for 20% of the household income with a ceiling of 600 euros per month. The residents have access to electricity and running water".
A lot of work for the flood unit
Unfortunately, for the moment, not all the victims are out of the woods. Manuella Catot, coordinator of the flood cell of the municipality of Chaudfontaine explains: "We still have 41 families to rehouse. They will be able to integrate the spaces that will arrive in the next few days where there are two or three rooms. There will also be one-bedroom modular spaces that will arrive in January".
Requisition is possible
Obviously, there needs to be a solution for each family. "There will still be housing coming in. And if we are really in difficulty, there is the possibility of requisitioning a series of properties to be able to rehouse citizens who would be in difficulty", concludes Christophe Collignon, Walloon Minister of Housing.
In a few days, the first fourteen modules currently placed will be occupied by disaster-stricken families.
Source: www.rtbf.be
