The Flemish Housing Council has criticized the "restrictive and punitive" way the Flemish government wants to introduce a Dutch language skills required in the social rented sector
The Board commented on the choice of a commitment to find an administrative penalty as a sanction not the best means to achieve the goal.
Who hires a social housing will have to prove in the future that he has a basic knowledge of Dutch. Flemish Minister for Housing Liesbeth Homans (N-VA) wants the existing language readiness a requirement switch to a language skills requirement. Tenants who do little or no effort to acquire the basic knowledge of Dutch, risking a fine.
The Flemish Housing Council expresses concern in a recent opinion on the mandatory character of the measure. "The Council asks you to consider the linguistic knowledge not as an obligation but tenants to encourage a social engagement," it reads.
The council also asks whether a language skills requirement really does offer more guarantees on the promotion of language skills than the current language readiness condition. "How big is the group that is unwilling to make an effort to learn the language How many people do not succeed in the provided language exam and what are the reasons?", It sounds for example.
The Flemish Housing Council also points out that there is no regulatory impact analysis (RIA) or poverty test conducted on the proposal. "The Council considers that significant changes and policy options to support before the necessary analysis and policy reviews," states the opinion.
The Board also believes that the imposition of an administrative fine "does not constitute the most appropriate means to achieve the goal - to achieve - the promotion of language skills.
'Stick behind the door'
"This opinion a degree of alienation. Flanders proposes social housing available, and then ask the tenant to want to learn to speak a bit of Dutch. It's not an exaggeration? "Responds Flemish Minister for Housing Liesbeth Homans on the critical opinion of the Flemish Housing Council.
Homans minister does not find it illogical that a question facing the provision of social housing available to learn Dutch. She also defends the move from an obligation to guarantee the result. "We pick here really book results. Previously, one had to be prepared to learn Dutch, but experience shows that this is not always enough, "said Homans.
The N-VA Secretary will also find the criticism is unwarranted on the administrative fine.Homans' Who effectively makes no effort and thus against any results, will indeed receive an administrative fine. A stick is really necessary for those unteachable. After all, there are plenty of candidates on the waiting list, the refusal of Dutch learning without penalty is not an issue. "
By Editors The Standard Photo: Bart Dewaele
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