In the Île-de-France region, rents have quadrupled in 35 years and are becoming increasingly unsustainable

Median rents for furnished accommodation in Ile-de-France have increased 3,9 times between 1984 and 2020, and 3,8 times for unfurnished accommodation, according to a study published Thursday, July 23 by the Paris Region Institute, which notes that these prices are becoming less and less sustainable.

The median rent in the Île-de-France region has increased from 6,5 euros per m³ in 1984 to 25 euros in 2020 for furnished accommodation.

Over the same period, rents in social housing also increased 3,6 times, "a comparable growth trend, but starting from significantly lower levels," the study notes. The median social housing rent rose from less than €2 to €7 per cubic meter.

At the same time, the income of households in the Île-de-France region living in furnished accommodation has only doubled and those living in unfurnished accommodation have increased by 2,3 times.

The share of income spent on housing, known as the "effort rate", has thus "increased sharply", especially between 1984 and 2022.

These affordability ratios peaked in 2013: 26,6% of income was spent on rent for unfurnished properties and 29,1% for furnished ones. They then fell slightly to 24,8% for unfurnished properties and 28,2% for furnished ones.

In Paris, the median effort rate reached 34% in 2022 and climbed further for single men and women (38% and 42% respectively), as well as single-parent families (39%).

Rents are "becoming difficult to sustain for many" tenants in the Île-de-France region, especially the most modest ones who "dedicate nearly half of their monthly resources to their rent (48,5% for unfurnished private rentals and 50,4% for furnished ones)".

The Institute's study estimates that "housing assistance is thus even more decisive in the private sector than in the social housing sector, making rents simply 'sustainable'".

Image illustrating the article via Depositphotos.com.