Each commune of the Kingdom of Belgium has a Public Center for Social Assistance. Its role and operation has been established by the organic law of the 8th July 1976. Its article 1 states as follows: « Every individual is entitled to social assistance. The aim of social assistance is to ensure that each can live his life with dignity. »

This law also imposes obligations on the P.C.S.A. with regard to health, obligations that are met either through the direct management of medical institutions or through the management of these institutions by associations or agreements.

The P.C.A.S.’s have taken over from the Public Assistance Commissions, which had in turn taken over from the General Hospice and Assistance Boards set up in Belgium under French laws.

Consequently, the P.C.A.S. in Brussels, whose territory is the historic core of this capital city, has inherited a significant network of hospitals and other establishments for the aged. Due to developments that have taken place in medical techniques and social concepts, these premises have been the subject of ongoing conversions, change of use or demolition-rebuilding works.