2.7 million requests, a new record in the first half of 2024

In mid-June 2024, the number of applicants for social housing in France reached a new record of 2.7 million households, according to the Union sociale pour l’habitat (USH). Emmanuelle Cosse, president of the USH and former Minister of Housing, said that this increase of around 100,000 applications compared to the previous year underlines the strong demand for affordable housing. Currently, more than 1.8 million households are waiting for their first social housing, while 870,000 people already housed are looking to move.

Increase in demand and decrease in approved social housing

This situation is compounded by a significant decline in the number of new approved social housing units. In 2023, only 82,200 units were approved, compared to 124,200 in 2016, representing a decrease of 42,000 units in seven years. This decline is due to several factors, including health and geopolitical crises, as well as government policies such as the solidarity rent reduction (RLS) and the freezing of credits for the renovation of social housing.

At a press conference, Emmanuelle Cosse criticized the government for not having respected its financial commitments regarding the renovation of social housing. She highlighted the negative impacts of budget cuts on the sector.

An uncertain budget for the future

According to the USH, since the summer of 2017, the social housing sector has lost around 14 billion euros in funding. This loss is linked to the RLS, the increase in the Livret A rate to 3% and the increase in the VAT rate from 5.5% to 10% on social housing. These changes have increased the debt of social landlords, whose funding comes largely from savings, particularly the Livret A.

As the HLM Congress prepares for Montpellier at the end of September, Emmanuelle Cosse calls for a pact between the government and the HLM movement to renovate the housing stock and decarbonize the sector. She expresses her concerns about an uncertain budget that could slow down renovation efforts and worsen the housing crisis.

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