Since then, Bonnevie develops a neighborhood based program in this area. This old working-class neighborhood near the canal is one of the poorest in the country. It is characterized by high unemployment rates and poor housing conditions.

The housing issue is central to our operation. It includes both housing in the broader sense (the coexistence of different communities in the neighborhood, the quality of public space) and the access to affordable, quality housing. Bonnevie is open to all residents of the neighborhood, giving priority to the poorest.

Throughout its operation, the community center combines a highly accessible reception, social services, educational activities, and community building. It aims social change and innovation, through an operation which is carried along by the public.

The housing activities in the community center started in1996. Currently, this operation is carried out by a team composed of 2 architects, 2 people with technical skills(assisted by two construction workers who get an on the job training) and 4 social workers. The basic operation consists of a number of services to the neighborhood: social permanence for tenants,renovation advice for house owners, handyman service, lending of construction tools. The overall objective of these services is the realization of the right to housing for all residents.

From the finding that these services, due to the ever increasing housing crisis in Brussels, are far from sufficient to achieve this goal, a number of new initiative grew, looking for structural solutions to the encountered problems.

For a dozen years now, Bonnevie has policy of innovation in terms of housing. One of the main achievements in this field is the project "l'Espoir" a housing project in rue Fin. The community center took the initiative in 2004, after they realized that, due to the housing crisis, it was no longer possible to find decent and affordable housing for large families. Bonnevie established a partnership with the Fonds du Logement, CIRE and 14 families in housing need. From the start, great importance was attached to the participation of these families in the realization of the project. Bonnevie was responsible for the framework for this participation. This innovative approach led to a number of groundbreaking solutions.

For example, l’Espoir will be the first social passive building in Belgium. Also in other areas, sustainable options were chosen. During the whole process, from specification to delivery, the partners sought for innovative solutions. Different elements of this the project, which was completed in June 2010, grew into an example for others. The building was elected a model building by the Ministry of Environment, and could finally count on a lot of attention from various politicians, social organizations and builders, in Brussels and beyond.

The experiences of this project gave Bonnevie a  valuable experience regarding the participation of disadvantaged residents in the realization of a construction project.

From the positive experience of l’Espoir, Bonnevie’s team went on the lookout for new formulas enabling them to reproduce it. This led them to Community Land Trusts. It brought them into contact with other Brussels organizations who also were interested in the formula. After a study visit to the usa in September 2009, Bonnevie is one of the lead organisations in spreading the CLTmodel in Belgium.