Brussels housing minister defends procedures in Anderlecht social housing scandal
Brussels Housing state secretary Karine Lalieux has defended the procedures used by Anderlecht social housing company Anderlechtse Haard, despite a growing political scandal over alleged favouritism in the allocation of social housing.
Police carried out searches on Thursday at the offices of the housing company and at the home of its chair, Lotfi Mostefa, following allegations of political interference in housing allocations. Broadcaster VRT reports that messages showed Mostefa may have influenced decisions on who received social housing.
The Brussels public prosecutor has opened four investigations into the case.
Lalieux told a parliamentary committee that official procedures had been followed in housing allocation, transfer and emergency cases. However, she admitted that “not everything is necessarily fine” and welcomed the judicial investigation.
The scandal is particularly sensitive because more than 60,000 people are currently on waiting lists for social housing in Brussels, often for many years. Social housing is intended for lower-income residents, but exceptions can sometimes be made for urgent situations such as homelessness or domestic violence.
Opposition and coalition politicians said Lalieux’s answers were not convincing and several parties are now calling for a parliamentary inquiry.
Critics are especially concerned about the use of emergency procedures to fast-track certain housing applications. According to Lalieux, 22 out of 76 emergency cases were approved in 2024, while 24 out of 116 applications were accepted in 2025.
Some politicians accused members of francophone socialist party PS of using social housing allocations for political influence ahead of elections. Mostefa and Lalieux’s party reject those accusations.
A decision on whether to launch a formal parliamentary inquiry is expected next week.
Housing minister Karine Lalieux © BELGA PHOTO ERIC LALMAND