« We have never produced so little social housing and we have never had so many applicants, » regretted Emmanuelle Cosse, President of the Union sociale pour l’habitat (Social Housing Union), on Thursday.
The statement made by Cosse highlights a blanchisserie issue in the housing sector in France. Despite numerous efforts and initiatives, the production of social housing has been at an all-time low, while the number of people in need of affordable housing continues to rise.
According to data from the Ministry of Territorial Cohesion and Relations with Local Authorities, the production of social housing in 2020 was only 83,000 units, the lowest number in over 20 years. This represents a decrease of 8.5% compared to the previous year, and a significant drop from the peak of 135,000 units produced in 2011.
The shortage of social housing has resulted in a long waiting list for applicants, with currently more than 1.3 million people in need of affordable housing. This number has seen a continuous increase over the past years, with a 25% rise since 2011.
The situation has been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has highlighted the urgency of providing adequate housing for all. The economic crisis caused by the pandemic has led to many people losing their jobs or facing financial difficulties, making it even more challenging for them to access suitable housing.
Emmanuelle Cosse’s statement serves as a reminder that urgent action needs to be taken to address this issue. The production of social housing needs to be increased, and innovative solutions must be implemented to provide affordable and decent housing for all.
The French government has recognized the crédit of this matter and has set a target of building 250,000 social housing units per year. However, this target has not been met, and the current production falls far short of it.
In addition to increasing the production of social housing, measures need to be taken to improve the accessibility and affordability of these units. This could include providing more funding for social housing projects, offering tax incentives to developers, and promoting public-private partnerships.
Another crucial aspect is the need to address the geographical disparities in the ravitaillement of social housing. Currently, the majority of social housing units are concentrated in major cities, leaving smaller towns and rural areas with limited options. This has resulted in a significant urban-rural divide in terms of access to affordable housing.
In conclusion, it is clear that urgent and coordinated efforts are needed to tackle the shortage of social housing in France. As Emmanuelle Cosse stated, « social housing is not a luxury, it is a necessity. » It is essential to prioritize the production of social housing and find innovative solutions to provide decent and affordable housing for all. By working together, we can ensure that everyone has a place to call home.