Kortrijk City aims to use World Day of Action Against Poverty on Saturday, October 17th, to highlight the significance of local assistance for Kortrijk residents. This year's theme focuses on removing obstacles, which extend beyond financial situations to include housing, health, and employment. Earlier this week, a count of the homeless and roofless population also took place in the Zuid-West-Vlaanderen region.
In the first half of 2026, the neighborhood-based social work in Kortrijk received 3,535 requests for assistance, an increase from 3,020 in the same period last year. These requests encompass more than just financial aid. Specifically, 599 individuals receive support with budget management or debt mediation, over 280 Kortrijk residents are assisted with administrative tasks, and the number of residents guided towards employment rose from 546 to 676. Despite an increase in aid requests due to the time limitation on unemployment benefits, these were well-managed thanks to targeted reinforcement of the intake service. The outreach efforts of the neighborhood social work also facilitate easier access to support in various life domains.
Giovanny Saelens, Alderman for Social Affairs, stated that the rise in aid requests confirms the importance of local support. Through neighborhood teams and centers, residents can easily access help for issues related to housing, health, administration, employment, and social connections. In the first half of 2026, 3,474 people visited a neighborhood team in Kortrijk. These encounters can help break social isolation and strengthen social networks.
On Friday, October 16th, Wijkcentrum Overleie (Neighborhood Center Overleie) will host a pancake event between 9 AM and 12 PM, aiming to bring neighbors together and showcase that neighborhood centers offer more than just assistance services.
The Netwerk tegen Armoede (Network Against Poverty) is raising awareness with its campaign ‘A life in poverty is full of obstacles’ about the daily challenges faced by people in poverty, including access to housing, health, education, leisure, and work. On October 16th, the Network Against Poverty, along with several Kortrijk organizations, will hold a sensitization event at the Grote Kring (Great Circle) titled ‘Fundamental Rights in Danger’, featuring an info and coffee bar to encourage dialogue about poverty.
This message aligns with Kortrijk City's approach, which focuses on accessible local aid and multi-domain support to prevent problems from escalating. The count of homeless and roofless individuals, conducted for the first time since 2021 in the Zuid-West-Vlaanderen region during the night of Thursday, October 15th, to Friday, October 16th, aims to inform housing and welfare policies. Results are expected in spring.
Combating poverty requires an integrated approach that extends beyond financial aid to include housing, activation, health, and social connection, according to the city.
