Brussels, BELGIUM
Project led by Foyer Schaerbeekois
The Build Better Lives campaign had the opportunity to carry on a field trip to the project. We are grateful for the Foyer Schaerbeekois for making this visit possible and for the thorough explanations of the project.
The Colonel Bourg social housing project in Schaerbeek, Brussels, is a beacon of innovation in the pursuit of affordable, energy-efficient housing. Managed by Foyer Schaerbeekois, this initiative uses social housing as a model for decent, affordable and energy-efficient homes for all by implementing ambitious passive building standards while ensuring access to the most vulnerable. Through a combination of high-efficiency construction, renewable energy integration, and comprehensive tenant support, Colonel Bourg exemplifies how social housing can play a pivotal role in building better lives for all.
Leading the way with passive housing standards and fossil-free solutions
Colonel Bourg sets a precedent by integrating passive housing principles to significantly reduce energy demand. The development eliminates on-site fossil fuel dependency by incorporating solar photovoltaic and thermal systems, ensuring that residents benefit from a renewable, non volatile energy supply. High-performance insulation, triple-glazed windows, and advanced ventilation systems further enhance energy efficiency while improving thermal comfort. By demonstrating that ambitious energy standards can be successfully implemented within public housing, this project paves the way for future developments to prioritise environmental sustainability without compromising affordability.
Empowering residents through social and technical assistance
Recognising that building efficiency alone is not enough, Colonel Bourg prioritises tenant engagement to maximize energy savings and enhance community resilience. During the first years of the project electricity meters were used to monitor and detect irregular consumption patterns, enabling targeted awareness-raising visits to support behavioral change. Social and technical assistance teams, in collaboration with ASBL Rénovas, provided ongoing education on passive housing principles and energy conservation strategies to tenants. Resident ambassadors, trained tenants offering energy advice to their neighbours, played a crucial role in fostering peer-to-peer learning, reinforcing sustainable habits, and ensuring that tenants could fully benefit from the project’s innovative design.
Ensuring affordable, high-quality housing for the most vulnerable
Beyond its environmental benefits, Colonel Bourg addresses the urgent need for decent, affordable housing in a city that is in the middle of a housing crisis. By implementing an income-adjusted rent calculation system, the project ensures that housing remains accessible to those who need it most, including single-parent families, large households, and individuals with disabilities.
The governance of Brussels’ social housing network, through Sociétés Immobilières de Service Public (SISP), ensures public oversight and access to subsidies, while the properties themselves are typically owned by the SISPs. Rental costs are kept affordable primarily based on tenants’ incomes, and subsidies allow precious support to high-quality renovations and new construction.
