In the heart of Brussels, a new roof insulation project is improving sleeping conditions for 226 homeless men each year, reducing heat in the summer, cold in the winter, and energy costs year-round.
The Baudouin Home, run by the non-profit organization Œuvre de l’Hospitalité, has been providing shelter to homeless men in Brussels since 1886. Located just a stone’s throw from the Grand-Place, it offers emergency and temporary shelter to adult men aged 18 to 85, with 24-hour staff availability, social support, weekly medical consultations, and support groups. Recognized by the French Community Commission, it is one of two shelters run by the nonprofit; the other is the Home Victor du Pré for women and children. Together, they form one of the oldest and most enduring networks of support for the homeless in Brussels.
The shelter can accommodate up to 69 men in dormitories, providing not only a bed but also a safe space for them to get back on their feet, reconnect with available services, and plan for the future. A team of 23 staff members ensures continuous support day and night.
When the Building Becomes the Problem
The main building at Home Baudouin dates back to the 1950s. Over the decades, the flat roofs above the dormitories became a major source of problems. Poorly insulated, they trapped heat in the summer, turning the sleeping quarters into stifling environments during heat waves, and allowed cold air to seep in during the winter. Despite a dual-flow ventilation system, conditions in the dormitories were difficult, even dangerous, for a population that was already vulnerable.
Thanks to a 13,000-euro grant from UFB, the Œuvre de l’Hospitalité was able to insulate the flat roofs. Beyond directly improving sleeping conditions, the work results in energy savings, freeing up resources that can be devoted to the residents’ well-being. The insulation also lays the groundwork for the future installation of solar panels.
“Our building was constructed in the 1950s. It’s a real energy drain. Since the roof was poorly insulated, it got very hot in the summer and cold in the winter. Insulating the roof was therefore essential not only to improve sleeping conditions for the people we house, but also to save energy and free up more resources to devote to their well-being. Thank you to UFB for the support provided over the past several years. Without it, we would not have been able to carry out many of these projects.” — Geneviève Henry, Director
Every improvement is a step toward dignity
For people experiencing homelessness, the quality of their shelter is not just a matter of comfort. It is the foundation upon which recovery is built. Thanks to donors like you, organizations such as Home Baudouin can continue to improve the conditions in which the most vulnerable find rest and refuge.
Make a donation to UFB and help bring other projects like this one to life.