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1.3. Infrastructure

Introductory remarks

The following definitions apply with regards to the standards and indicators listed in this section:

‘(Bed-) room’: a separate room, defined by four walls with a door which can be closed, a window that can be opened and a ceiling. In accommodation centres or other shared housing, ‘bedrooms’ should always be understood as lockable rooms.

‘Family members’ should be defined in accordance with Article 2(c) RCD.
Standards in this section in particular should be considered only minimum standards.

Standards and indicators

STANDARD 5: Ensure sufficient space in the bedroom in collective housing.

Indicator 5.1: A minimum space of 4 m² per person is provided for each applicant.

  • Additional remarks: This indicator can be further clarified depending on whether the room accommodates applicants who are not related or family members. Age could also be taken into account, such as housing of families with infants and small children. Reference could be made to national legislation which defines the minimum living space per person, if such is stipulated.

Indicator 5.2: With regards to the minimum space of 4 m² per person, a minimum room height of 2.10 m is ensured.

Indicator 5.3: Sufficient space exists in the bedroom to place one bed and one cupboard for each applicant.

  • Additional remarks: Depending on the specific set-up, a table and a chair could be part of the essential furniture and should be taken into account unless provided for in common areas.

STANDARD 6: Ensure respect for the privacy of the applicants in collective housing.

Indicator 6.1: A maximum of six single applicants are accommodated in one bedroom.

  • Additional remarks: The maximum number of persons to be allocated per bedroom could also be determined depending on the duration spent in such housing and the availability of additional space outside the bedroom (common space, other private rooms). If not practically feasible to meet this indicator, alternative ways should be found to ensure privacy.

Indicator 6.2: Separate bedrooms exist for single male and female applicants and no access is possible for applicants of the opposite sex.

  • Additional remarks: The restriction of access could be ensured via separate facilities and/or via a lock, without prejudice to security considerations of the reception facility. In particular, cupboards should be lockable if a facility hosts applicants with special needs, s. a. female applicants who might be at risk of gender-based violence.

Indicator 6.3: A room creating a private setting (inside or outside the premises) for meetings with legal aid, a social worker or other relevant actors is foreseen and available to the applicants, when needed.

Indicator 6.4: Specific arrangements are in place for applicants with special needs.

  • Additional remarks: For example, unaccompanied minors should be provided with separate bedrooms and not be residing in the same room as adult applicants.

   Good practice with regards to privacy of applicants

   It is considered good practice to provide a minimum passageway         of at least 90 cm between the beds in order to allow for privacy.

STANDARD 7: Ensure that the housing is sufficiently furnished.

Indicator 7.1: The furniture for each bedroom includes, as a minimum:

7.1.1: one individual bed per person; AND

7.1.2: one cupboard per person or family, big enough to hold personal belongings (such as clothes, medication
or documents).

Indicator 7.2: In bedrooms shared by applicants who are not family members, the cupboard is lockable,
without prejudice to security considerations of the reception facility.

  • Additional remarks: In particular, cupboards should be lockable if a facility hosts applicants with specialneeds, such as female applicants who might be at risk of gender-based violence.

Indicator 7.3: The furniture in the common/living area includes a sufficient number of tables and chairs.

Indicator 7.4: In facilities where applicants are asked to cook for themselves, all of the following is provided
and accessible in the kitchen:

7.4.1: sufficient refrigerator volume per person; AND

  • Additional remarks: The sufficient refrigerator space could be further clarified by specifying the number of litres or shelves available per person/family.

7.4.2: sufficient shelf space per person/family; AND

7.4.3: a minimum access to a stove per person/family; AND

7.4.4: a minimum number of dishes, cups, cooking utensils and cutlery per person.

Indicator 7.5: Specific arrangements are available for applicants with special needs.

  • Additional remarks: For example, infants should be provided with a baby bed, changing table and appropriate chair; persons with limited mobility should be provided with adapted furniture; and families with school-age children should be provided with a small table and a chair to allow children to engage in homework.

STANDARD 8: Ensure sufficient, adequate, and functioning sanitary infrastructure in the housing.

Indicator 8.1: All applicants should have access to a shower/bath, a sink with hot and cold water and a functional toilet.

Indicator 8.2: At least one functioning and lockable toilet per 10 applicants is accessible 24/7.

Indicator 8.3: At least one functioning shower or bath with hot and cold water exists per 12 applicants and is accessible for a minimum of 8 hours/day.

  • Additional remarks:The ratio shower/applicants can be adapted if accessibility is ensured for longer periods during the day.

Indicator 8.4: At least one functioning sink with hot and cold water per 10 applicants is accessible 24/7.

Indicator 8.5: If more than one shower is located in the bathroom, visual separation is ensured.

Indicator 8.6: Separate toilets, sinks and shower facilities exist according to sex (visibly and understandably marked) except for small housing facilities.

  • Additional remarks: Apartments, studios and other housing for less than 12 persons could constitute exceptions.

Indicator 8.7: With regards to shared housing for applicants who are not family members, arrangements are in place to ensure that applicants may access the facilities safely and that the intimacy of the applicants is at all times respected.

Indicator 8.8: Arrangements are in place to ensure that clothes and towels can stay dry while applicants are taking a shower.

Indicator 8.9: Specific arrangements are in place for applicants with special needs.

  • Additional remarks: For example, daily access to a baby bath is possible for children under 2 years.

   Good practice with regards to sanitary infrastructure

   It is considered good practice:

  • to place the toilet in the same building as the bedroom and common areas and not outside;
  • to ensure that the shower facilities are individually lockable and that access is not restricted in time;
  • to pay attention to gender issues and women’s safety, such as locating the sanitary installations in the vicinity or at a safe distance with well-lit access.

STANDARD 9: Ensure compliance of the housing with relevant national and local regulations.

Indicator 9.1: The housing is built in compliance with applicable local and national regulations.

Indicator 9.2: The housing is maintained and operated in compliance with relevant local and national regulations, taking into account all potential hazards.

  • Additional remarks: The following are examples to assess progress achieved towards the standard in an accommodation centre: an evacuation plan for the accommodation centre is present and visible at all times; the routes for evacuation are free from obstacles; and fire extinguishers are accessible.

Indicator 9.3: Sufficient natural light and fresh air enters the bedrooms and common/living areas of the housing while curtains and/or shutters are available to shut out the light when needed.

Indicator 9.4: An adequate temperature regulation system exists for all areas of the housing.

  • Additional remarks: The adequate temperature range would be determined in relation to the climate conditions in the location and the general standards applied for nationals.

Indicator 9.5: The bedrooms and common areas are protected from excessive environmental noise.

  • Additional remarks: Environmental noise could for example be caused by machines, airplanes, trains, etc.

STANDARD 10: Ensure that the inside and outside infrastructure of housing designated to accommodate applicants with reduced mobility is adapted to their needs.

Indicator 10.1: The housing is located:

10.1(a): on the ground floor; OR

10.1(b): an elevator adapted for use by persons with reduced mobility exists; OR

10.1(c): stairs are not more than a maximum number, according to the degree of reduced mobility.

Indicator 10.2: The external approaches such as paths or drives have a firm, level surface.

Indicator 10.3: The entrance is designed to allow for the access of applicants with reduced mobility.

Indicator 10.4: Doorways and passageways inside the housing are wide enough for wheelchair users.

Indicator 10.5: Grab rails exist for support in rooms and places that are used by applicants with reduced mobility.

Indicator 10.6: Adapted sanitary infrastructure exists, including, for example, walk-in showers, grab rails, sinks and toilets at an appropriate height for wheelchair users, as well as a surface of bathroom and toilet rooms suitable for wheelchairs.

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