Does Appeltans trial bring an end to 20 years of slumming?

2023-10-16

LEUVEN - In the project "Does the Appeltans process bring an end to more than 20 years of slum landlords?" Arne Sonck investigated the power of slum landlords in Leuven. He brings to light how the Leuven landlord Appeltans was able to build a real estate empire by coloring outside the lines, and why the Leuven administration was able to watch this alone for a long time.

Arne shows how legal thresholds and administrative uncertainty give slum landlords backing, how local government fails vulnerable tenants, and how Flemish policy encourages slumlordism. Through research in the streets of Leuven, legal files, and numerous conversations with experts and policymakers, Arne paints an in-depth and comprehensive picture of the problem of slumlordism, and why it is taken for granted within the current economic and policy context.

Team members

Arne Sonck

Arne is a journalist with a focus on slow-paced investigative journalism and critical policy analysis.

Supported

€1.600 allocated on 24/05/2023.

FPD/2023/2075

Grant

Pascal Decroos Fund

PRINT/ONLINE

Huisjesmelkers Appeltans konden twintig jaar ongestoord hun gang gaan, Apache, 16/10/2023.
Luxekoten verdringen krotwoningen van huisjesmelkers, Apache, 16/10/2023.

need resources for your own investigative story?

Journalismfund Europe's flexible grants programmes enable journalists to produce relevant public interest stories with a European mind-set from international, national, and regional perspectives.

Apply