The Flemish Parliament is reviewing a broad set of legislative proposals on 10 November 2026, targeting social housing requirements, environmental standards, and health policies.
Lawmakers are examining a draft decree that introduces stricter rules for social housing tenants and candidates, according to parliamentary records. Non-working social tenants and applicants with labor potential must now register with the VDAB and remain available for the labor market.
Failure to cooperate with VDAB services can trigger a rent increase. The mandatory oral language proficiency level for new social tenants also rises from A2 to B1.
Housing Policy and Fraud Controls
Housing companies must actively combat tenancy fraud and verify foreign real estate holdings under the new decree. A centralized register will track social tenants and leasing processes to support regional housing policies.
The proposal clarifies asset tests to prevent evasion strategies. It also establishes housing quality advice and renovation guidance ahead of mandatory conformity certificates.
Rules regarding unfit, uninhabitable, and overcrowded dwellings are being adjusted to counter improper appeal procedures.
Did You Know? Vlaanderen has operated under an intergovernmental cooperation agreement with the Federale Staat regarding the guidance and treatment of sex offenders since 8 October 1998.
Environmental Regulations and Asbestos Removal
The Flemish Government submitted a draft decree to amend the General Environmental Policy Decree, known as the DABM, and the Materials Decree. This legislation implements European rules on batteries and waste transport while designating the OVAM as the competent authority for additional tasks.
The framework establishes a food waste prevention program and legally anchors municipal tasks regarding litter and extended producer responsibility. Vlaanderen is tightening its asbestos removal policy by introducing mandatory removal for specific asbestos applications.
Risk buildings face accelerated deadlines for asbestos inventory certificates.
Healthy Generation 2026-2035 adds mental health and digital objectives
Building on the previous strategic plan for healthy living from 2017 to 2025, the Flemish Government introduced the ‘Healthy Generation 2026-2035’ health objective. Mental well-being and sexual health join nutrition, exercise, smoking, and substance abuse as full prevention programs starting in 2026.
Digital health also receives a formal place within the updated strategy. Meanwhile, a draft assent decree updates the cooperation agreement originally signed on 8 October 1998 between the Federale Staat and the Vlaamse Gemeenschap concerning sex offender treatment.
The updated agreement of 19 June 2026 optimizes collaboration between justice houses and specialized care services.
What changes for social housing tenants
What changes for non-working social housing tenants?
Non-working social housing tenants and candidates with labor potential must register with the VDAB and stay available for the labor market. Persistent refusal to cooperate with VDAB actions may result in a rent increase.
How does the new housing decree affect language requirements?
The required oral language proficiency level for new social housing tenants increases from A2 to B1.
What does the Healthy Generation 2026-2035 objective add?
The new health objective builds on the 2017-2025 plan by adding mental well-being, sexual health, and digital health as official preventive programs alongside existing targets for nutrition, physical activity, smoking, and substance use.
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