Building Tradesmen Call on the New Prime Minister to Hold a Housing Roundtable Without Delay

Building trades down 3%: a finding that should prompt a reaction

The building trades sector continued to decline in the last quarter. Renovation was impacted by a significant decrease in energy performance work (-0,5%). The situation is particularly worrying in the new construction sector, which recorded a significant drop of 6,5%. The second quarter ended with a 3% year-on-year drop: a result never recorded since the health crisis but which could have been worse without the intervention of the CAPEB, which created the conditions for a revival of the activity of VSEs in renovation thanks to the changes made since May 15 to the MaPrimeRenov' scheme. Despite a gradual reversal of the trend, the major uncertainties linked to the political situation of the last three months have significantly limited the expected recovery.

The necessary maintenance of the budget allocated to energy renovation

The construction sector is at a critical turning point. In view of this situation, it is imperative to guarantee stability and visibility to companies by maintaining the budgetary envelopes allocated to the renovation, particularly energy renovation, of housing. Any reduction in dedicated credits would be detrimental to VSEs in the construction sector and incomprehensible, particularly in view of the environmental and societal issues and the objectives that our country has set for itself in this area: energy renovation is a national priority that cannot be an adjustment variable. It must be the subject of a long-term strategy and investments, especially since each euro invested in MaPrimeRénov' brings in three euros to the State.

Working on the future of MaPrimeRénov' and relaunching parliamentary projects

The challenge of renovation deserves the definition of a clear and appropriate long-term policy so that households and businesses can engage serenely in carrying out work, including by proceeding gradually, step by step. This is why CAPEB recommends maintaining the eligibility for MaPrimeRénov for simple actions in 2025, the time to develop with the public authorities a large-scale renovation path for 2026 that is adapted to the expectations of households and the reality of the market.

It is also necessary to facilitate the mobilization of VSEs in the construction sector to massify the renovation of housing. Several legislative measures are necessary and could not be adopted due to the dissolution. Facilitating the grouping of craft businesses on construction sites within temporary business groups (GME), supervising cascading subcontracting, simplifying the life of businesses, all measures that need to be quickly adopted by parliamentarians.

A Grenelle of housing for a sustainable policy

It is high time to conduct a cross-sectional reflection to rethink housing policy and find sustainable solutions to the crisis the sector is going through. This is why CAPEB is calling for a Grenelle du logement to meet all needs, from new construction to renovation. Only an intelligent articulation of these two levers will allow everyone to have decent housing, while taking into account climate and environmental issues.

For Jean-Christophe Repon, President of CAPEB: "If we want to avoid a worsening of the current decline and ultimately a recession, it is crucial to create the conditions for a real rebound now. We expect the Prime Minister to maintain the credits allocated to energy renovation, to initiate an ambitious policy alongside us and to take the expected decisions in terms of simplification, market access, tax environment and recognition of the economic and social role of small businesses in our territories. Mr. Barnier has repeatedly demonstrated his great negotiating skills in knowing how to bring all stakeholders around the table and respect them on major issues in order to create consensus. We are therefore counting on him to move forward on these issues and to fully take into account the voice of VSEs in the construction sector."

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.