Idea and goals
Brussels Region with its housing crisis has to deal with a lack of social housing, low quality of houses and rising rent and property prices. In addition, the quality of life of certain vulnerable groups is a challenge. Housing for the ageing population is inadequate, women, especially older women, are at higher risk of social isolation and poverty. Migrants and low-income families experience additional challenges in the housing market. These vulnerable groups often have little control over their housing situation. In addition, individuals are becoming more isolated and this has a negative impact on physical and mental health, especially in the case of people with care needs. The Community Land Trusts Brussels wanted to overcome these challenges with CALICO.
Implementation
CALICO is an intergenerational and intercultural cohousing project with a focus on mutual care and gender. Built on a land owned by the Community Land Trust of Brussels, it is safe from speculation. It includes a participative approach to housing and provides housing for lower-income families. Furthermore it contains two Housing First units. Through this model, homeless people are provided with housing as a first step to overcome the problems that have led to their homelessness. In addition, the project contains ten housing units for poor and isolated women, a community-oriented birth and end-of-life facility, and a community space open to local neighbourhood initiatives. By bringing different population groups and different functions together in the same project, and by strengthening social cohesion, both within the project and within the neighbourhood, CALICO will investigate a new model of housing policy. The project is a partnership between eight structures, from local associations to regional urbanism institutions.
Vision
The moving-in of the residents into the accommodations is scheduled throughout the summer 2021 until September. Through the participatory approach to community building and the architectural process, the project also serves to strengthen democracy.