Townhouse renovated for people with mental vulnerability

Along Ghent's Fratersplein, Ipso renovated an old mansion and transformed it into a sheltered home for four people with mental vulnerability. Ipso (Initiatief Psycho Sociale Ondersteuning, vzw Psychiatrisch Centrum Gent - Sleidinge) is also itself located along the square in the popular heart of the city, near AZ Sint-Lucas.

All residents have their own room. They may bring their own furniture, but may as well choose a furnished room. The rest of the house is communal and equipped with the necessary sanitary facilities, an equipped kitchen and a living room. The concept is similar to that of cohousing, which does not require specific care furniture. Residents pay an accommodation fee. Ipso supports them with help with general matters of daily life, such as cooking, maintenance of the home and general hygiene.

The City of Ghent supported the renovation with 70,000 euros. Meanwhile, it has launched a new project call to realize additional quality housing for vulnerable target groups. That call runs until September 30, 2025. The application period was extended from 4.5 to 15 months and opened to grant applications for temporary mobile housing units. "We will continue to grant subsidies to welfare organizations that enable affordable and quality housing for vulnerable target groups by providing the right guidance," alderwoman for housing Tine Heyse commented.

Earlier this year, Ghent already commissioned 11 "robust" homes for people with a history of homelessness in the borough of Sint-Amandsberg. These are nine duplex homes, two wheelchair-accessible homes and one companion unit. There is a community garden. Each cottage is only 36 square meters and based on the Danish concept of "Skaeve Huse," with a focus on comfort, privacy and seclusion.

A site manager will be present during the week to serve as a point of contact for both residents of the robust homes and neighbors. The residents also receive guidance there. It was the first such project in Flanders. The construction is part of a larger action plan by the city, in which homeless people are first given shelter before other problems are addressed. The plan aims to end homelessness in Ghent by 2040.