Social housing demand is reaching unprecedented levels, particularly in Brest, where Brest Métropole Habitat (BMH) has reported significant growth over the past two years. According to Georges Bellour, the director general of BMH, applications for social housing surged to 6,241 in 2024 from 4,459 the previous year. This figure swelled to 7,335 by January 1, 2025, with approximately 22,000 applications pending across the Finistère region. “The demand is exploding,” Bellour emphasizes, illustrating the urgent need for actionable solutions.
Despite the high demand, the supply of social housing remains critically insufficient. BMH manages 19,653 homes, yet only allocated 1,290 residences last year, slightly down from 1,335 the previous year. The French government’s strategies have been criticized by Bellour, who expresses frustration over substantial funding cuts impacting housing initiatives, stating, “The complete absence of housing policy has led to the collapse of private housing production.” Since 2018, resources for HLM organizations (Habitations à Loyer Modéré) have been reduced by 14 billion euros, limiting their capacity to expand.
This funding cut exacerbates the struggle to meet local housing needs. Bellour pointed out, “For BMH, the reduction of the solidarity rent has resulted in a 21 million euros shortfall since 2018.” These factors culminate to create a housing environment where fewer tenants are leaving their residences, thereby limiting turnover and available units.
This year, BMH is poised to invest significantly, planning 105 million euros for new projects, including 64 million dedicated to land acquisitions and new housing, 25 million for rehabilitation projects, and 11.5 million for maintenance. A total of 1,111 new homes across 28 different operations are currently under construction, with 389 slated for delivery by the end of 2025. Alongside, 415 homes are set to be renovated, addressing the dual challenge of increasing stock and improving existing facilities for residents.
Future proposals from BMH include 1,847 new homes and 841 renovations. Yet, Bellour has admitted: “We are going to have to make tough choices.” With the looming pressure to alleviate the backlog, the urgency of swift action is more pronounced than ever.
Transitioning to other initiatives, Opac Savoie, another significant player in the housing sector, is set to lead ambitious energy efficiency projects starting March 2025. A 14-month plan will drastically reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions at the Jardins de Bonne-Nouvelle complex within Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne. Opac Savoie plans to allocate 26 million euros this year for its total investment of 85.7 million euros, showcasing its commitment to improving its rental stock. Building C of the Jardins, which has remained unrenovated compared to its neighbors, will undergo major structural changes to increase its capacity from 22 to 27 residential units.
By the project's completion by May 2026, the energy performance diagnosis (DPE) rating is expected to see massive improvement from F to A, reinforcing the trend of prioritizing environmental sustainability within housing projects. This renovation not only enhances living conditions for current tenants but sets new standards for future developments.
Beyond these projects, conversations around eligibility for social housing are shifting dramatically. Starting this year, criteria for resource ceilings have been updated—a necessary adjustment as the rent reference index (IRL) has increased by 2.47% from 2023 to 2024. To qualify for social housing, individuals must meet specific income thresholds based on their tax reference income (RFR) from two years prior. Nevertheless, if applicants have experienced more than 10% decreases in their incomes over the past 12 months, they will be assessed based on the previous year's RFR.
Three types of social housing exist within France: PLAI (Prêt Locatif Aidé d'Intégration) for the most vulnerable families, PLUS (Prêt Locatif à Usage Social), which constitutes over 80% of the social housing stock, and PLS (Prêt Locatif Social) targeting those with moderate incomes too high for PLUS but insufficient for private housing.
To be eligible for PLAI, for example, families must have income limits ranging drastically between regions. This re-evaluation of resource ceilings means prospects for securing social housing are actually improving. Those who may have once found themselves outside the eligibility criteria might now qualify.
The increasing engagement of organizations like BMH and Opac Savoie indicates not only recognition of the social housing crisis but also readiness to mobilize resources and investments to tackle it. While challenges remain, the noticeable push signifies hope for those affected by the housing crisis and marks a pivotal moment for housing policy development across France.