CALICO, standing for CAre and LIving in COmmunity, is an innovative co-housing project located in Forest, Brussels. Developed by the Community Land Trust Brussels (CLTB) with various local and regional partners, this project aims to address social, generational, and gender disparities in housing. It provides 34 affordable housing units organized into three clusters, each targeting different vulnerable groups, including low-income families, single mothers, and elderly women. The project also sets aside two units specifically for Housing First programs for homeless individuals.
CALICO employs a Community Land Trust model, which ensures permanent affordability by maintaining collective ownership of the land. The project combines housing with shared community spaces, including a birth and end-of-life care facility and a “place of links” for fostering broader neighborhood interaction. These communal spaces encourage residents to engage in activities like mutual aid and participatory childcare, emphasizing care and social cohesion.
Each housing cluster reflects specific social priorities: Angela.D supports women in precarious situations, CLTB offers affordable housing for low-income residents, and Pass-Ages fosters intergenerational solidarity. By integrating care services and promoting co-management by residents, CALICO demonstrates an innovative approach to empowering communities, enhancing autonomy, and strengthening social ties.
Through its inclusive and participatory model, CALICO not only addresses Brussels' housing crisis but also reimagines urban living by blending sustainable housing policies with community-centric care practices.