Cracked housing on clay soils: more flexible conditions for aid

The natural phenomenon of clay shrinkage and swelling (CGS) poses a threat to the structural integrity of buildings constructed on certain soils. This phenomenon has been exacerbated by climate change, which is making droughts and heavy rainfall events more frequent and intense.

"The difficulty with this risk is that we are not always aware of it," said Mathieu Lefèvre, the Minister Delegate for Ecological Transition, during a telephone press briefing. However, "a property that undergoes preventative work is a property that is much more resilient."

The aid intended for homeowners was announced in September, on an experimental basis in 11 departments: Allier, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Dordogne, Gers, Indre, Lot-et-Garonne, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Nord, Puy-de-Dôme, Tarn and Tarn-et-Garonne.

In just over six months, Mr. Lefèvre indicated, some 2.000 individuals volunteered to carry out a "simulation" to find out if they were entitled to such assistance to undertake work.

Results: among these 2.000 individuals, 218 were eligible, after expert review.

"These results, let's not hide it, are mixed (...) We could have expected several thousand simulations, several hundred households," the minister noted.

"It is estimated that there are more than four million homes that are in areas of high exposure today. And more than half (of the compensation: editor's note) of the natural disaster scheme related to buildings are attributable to it between 2020 and 2024," he explained.

"Initial feedback from the field has indeed shown us that we need to simplify, broaden and accelerate," noted Mr. Lefèvre.

The criteria concerning buildings are broadened, notably by including those with three levels (ground floor and two floors), compared to two previously.

"For the study phase, the criterion of crack size is abolished. For the construction phase, it is relaxed," the minister added.

Furthermore, the criteria for being one of the experts tasked with reviewing the files, which were too restrictive, have been broadened, which will speed up the procedures.

As part of the third national climate change adaptation plan, 30 million euros have been allocated to these prevention measures in the 2026 budget.

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.