Housing bill: the government wants to accelerate construction and relax regulations for 700.000 energy-inefficient homes

Adapting housing to heatwaves: new measures expected

Announced last April in Marseille by Sébastien Lecornu and Vincent Jeanbrun, the bill will be supplemented by several amendments dedicated to adapting housing to extreme heat. Among the measures under consideration is simplifying the voting process in co-ownership associations for work aimed at improving summer comfort, such as the installation of shutters or blinds.

According to a study conducted by Pouget Consultants and the Alliance of Industrialists of Electrical and Digital Building Solutions (Ignes), one in two homes is now "insufficiently adapted" to heatwave episodes, turning into a veritable thermal kettle during heatwaves.

When questioned after the Council of Ministers meeting about the lack of effective heat protection in some new or recently renovated buildings, Vincent Jeanbrun acknowledged that "we have fought hard against the cold and produced standards that propose thermal inertia for buildings. We realize that when we have exceptional heatwave phenomena like today, the heat will end up staying" in the homes.

The minister also stated that "This issue" of adapting to heatwaves "must now be at the heart of our concerns, including in architectural and environmental standards and requirements."

Heritage, urban planning and summer comfort: a debate that is intensifying

Other regulatory changes are currently under consideration, particularly concerning urban planning and heritage preservation rules. These issues are expected to be debated during the parliamentary review of the bill.

In an interview with the newspaper Le Monde, published Tuesday evening, Vincent Jeanbrun believes that the debate between "preservation of heritage and habitability of our cities" must "move forward quickly".

Regarding heritage constraints, the minister considers that the Architects of the Buildings of France (ABF) "are aware that, if there is no relaxation, housing will no longer be able to be inhabited or rented, that this heritage will no longer be worthless, will no longer be maintained".

He also announced that "the issue of summer comfort must systematically be included in the specifications" used for allocating grants for comprehensive energy renovation. This change will involve, in particular, upskilling energy renovation advisors, without becoming mandatory for individuals.

Up to 700.000 energy-inefficient homes affected by a relaxation of regulations

Faced with what the government calls an "emergency" in housing, which has become "a real social time bomb", Vincent Jeanbrun hopes, through this bill, to "meet the needs of the most fragile neighborhoods", launch a third urban renewal program, "build faster and better", "renovate more efficiently" and "trust the mayors".

One of the most discussed measures concerns properties rated F or G on the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). The legislation provides for the temporary authorization of their rental provided that the owner has initiated a renovation process, formalized by signing a contract with a company and paying a deposit.

This grace period would be three years for detached houses and five years for condominiums. According to the ministry, up to 700.000 homes could be affected.

This provision, however, has sparked strong criticism. The Housing for All platform, which brings together several tenant advocacy groups and trade unions, denounces the fact that "In the middle of a heatwave, it (the bill, editor's note) postpones by 5 years the obligation for landlords to combat unbearably hot housing!"

Rental investment, MaPrimeRénov' and strengthened powers of mayors

The bill also aims to strengthen the future rental investment scheme known as the "private landlord status" or "Jeanbrun scheme." The objective is, in particular, to encourage the acquisition and renovation of older housing by lowering the required level of work.

Furthermore, a simplified urban planning procedure should accelerate housing construction. Local authorities could also benefit from new powers on a voluntary basis.

Mayors could, in particular, manage the MaPrimeRénov' aid, propose candidates for the allocation of social housing, or oppose the allocation of social housing to a household convicted of disturbing public order.

A parliamentary review is expected as soon as the new parliamentary session begins.

The housing bill is expected to be examined by the National Assembly as soon as Parliament reconvenes, before being sent to the Senate in the fall. The Ministry of Housing hopes for final adoption of the text before the end of the year.

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.