Marcela Gori has been vice-president of the Foyer Anderlechtois since June 2025. She was the first to publicly denounce what she considers serious dysfunctions within the social housing company. Her reports and stances have largely helped bring to light practices now under investigation, making her one of the leading whistle-blowers in this case.
What does the Foyer Anderlechtois affair reveal, in your view?
This affair reveals above all a serious governance problem. The successive revelations, testimonies, and administrative and judicial investigations show that this is not a one-off incident or an isolated mistake. It is an entire management culture that is now being called into question. When a public body manages thousands of applications for social housing, the slightest suspicion of political interference is unacceptable. Citizens must be certain that everyone is treated equally, without favouritism or preferential treatment.
What have you personally denounced in recent months?
For several months, I have been warning about significant dysfunctions within the Foyer Anderlechtois. I denounced interventions by its president (Lofti Mostefa, PS) which I felt were incompatible with sound, transparent management of a social housing company. I also denounced a lack of transparency towards the Board of Directors and difficulties in properly carrying out our oversight role. Today, the facts that have been publicly revealed show that these concerns were unfortunately not unfounded. I regret that some preferred to downplay the problems rather than confront them.
A few days ago, the newspaper 7sur7 spoke of a “mafia-like system”. I can tell you that for months I have been subjected to intimidation, threats and personal attacks against me.
What must happen now?
The priority is for the whole truth to be established. The investigations must be able to proceed calmly and without any pressure. I am a lawyer, I know this takes time, that there is a presumption of innocence, and that judgments should not be made on social media. But there is also a political requirement. When an institution is so weakened by suspicion, its leaders must take responsibility. The interest of the institution must come before individual interests, which is why we are asking the president of the housing authority to step aside for the duration of the investigation. Trust must be restored among tenants, prospective tenants and staff. This will require greater transparency, strengthened controls and deeply renewed governance. Those who manage public assets have an absolute duty to set an example. Social housing belongs neither to a party nor to an elected official. It belongs to the citizens.