Anderlecht Housing Chief Seeks Brussels Parliament Hearing

Lotfi Mostefa, the president of the Anderlechtse Haard social housing company and alderman for Housing in Anderlecht, has formally requested to be heard by the Brussels Parliament following a critical investigation by the VRT investigative program Pano. The request, submitted on May 23, comes amid growing political pressure and a fourth criminal investigation into the housing authority, which manages approximately 3,800 social housing units in the Brussels municipality.

Background of the Controversy

The Pano investigation, published on May 15, uncovered hundreds of WhatsApp messages and voice recordings showing Mostefa personally intervening in the allocation of social housing units. According to VRT NWS, the messages reveal that Mostefa directed his secretary to prioritize certain candidates for housing, bypassing the standard waiting list system. One employee described the situation by saying, “In effect, he behaves as if the Anderlechtse Haard belongs to him.”

The Anderlechtse Haard is the second-largest social housing company in Brussels, housing over 8,000 residents. The municipality of Anderlecht has more than 29,600 families on its social housing waiting list, with an average wait time of 13 years.

Political Fallout

The revelations have sparked widespread political backlash. Coalition partners MR, Les Engagés, and Anders have demanded Mostefa’s temporary resignation. As reported by VRT NWS, MR faction leader Gaëtan Van Goidsenhoven stated that the allegations “directly affect the integrity of public administration and the trust citizens can have in their institutions.”

Imane Belguenani of Anders called the revelations “a slap in the face” to the thousands of Brussels residents waiting for social housing. N-VA has called for a full parliamentary investigative commission, with parliamentarian Gilles Verstraeten warning that “democracy is at stake.” Groen MP Emile Luhahi described Mostefa as “a fixer who behaves like an almighty emperor.”

Mostefa’s Defense

In a written response, Mostefa has denied making final decisions on housing allocations, stating that all allocations are ultimately approved by the Brussels Regional Housing Company (BGHM). “No elected official can decide alone. It is always a collegial decision,” PS party president Paul Magnette said in defense of Mostefa, as reported by La Libre Belgique.

Mostefa has requested to be heard by the Housing Commission of the Brussels Parliament, stating that “tenants, candidate-tenants, and citizens have a right to clear answers.” He says he wants to provide “useful clarifications about the functioning of the Anderlechtse Haard and the allocation procedures for social housing.”

Criminal Investigation

The Brussels prosecutor’s office has opened a fourth investigation into the Anderlechtse Haard, this one focused on Mostefa and the organization itself. According to VRT NWS, the investigation is being conducted by the Central Service for the Fight against Corruption of the federal police. This follows three earlier investigations involving the housing authority, one of which was a judicial inquiry that had been running for several months.

Broader Context

This is not the first time Mostefa has faced scrutiny. A previous Pano investigation in 2024 examined his role as president of the Anderlecht OCMW (Public Social Welfare Center), revealing similar patterns of interference. In February 2026, Mostefa’s secretary was fired after allegations of receiving money from a tenant to expedite a housing allocation, though she denies the claims.

The controversy has reignited debate about oversight in Brussels’ social housing sector. The Brussels Parliament is scheduled to meet on June 1 to consider establishing a full parliamentary investigative commission. The case has also raised questions about whether the BGHM’s oversight mechanisms are sufficient to prevent political interference in housing allocations.

What’s Next

The Brussels Parliament will debate the establishment of an investigative commission on June 1, while Mostefa awaits a decision on his request to testify before the Housing Commission. The outcome of the criminal investigation by the federal corruption unit could have significant implications not only for Mostefa but also for the broader governance of social housing in Brussels. As political pressure mounts, the PS party’s continued defense of Mostefa may face increasing strain from coalition partners demanding accountability.