Brussels, BELGIUM – Foyer Schaerbeekois
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), guarantees that properties remain under public ownership while benefiting from subsidies that help keep rental costs affordable. This regulatory framework provides stability and social safeguards, preventing displacement and homelessness while securing long-term affordability for vulnerable populations.The Colonel Bourg project exemplifies how social housing can serve as a catalyst for ambitious climate action while ensuring equity and inclusion. By prioritising passive building standards, fostering behavioral change through technical and social assistance, and upholding affordability as a core principle, this initiative proves that sustainable living can be both inclusive and impactful. As cities worldwide seek solutions to the intersecting crises of housing, energy, and climate, projects like Colonel Bourg provide a powerful blueprint for a future where we can truly Build Better Lives.
