New housing: decline in building permits and construction starts in November

In November, 31.028 housing units were authorized for construction, including 12.044 individual houses (+3,2% over one month) and 18.984 collective housing units (-7,8%), according to the Data and Statistical Studies Service (SDES).

The number of housing construction starts also declined, by 1% over a month to 25.419 units, after having rebounded since the spring.

The ministry emphasizes that this data is provisional, as the rate of information collection is partial.

The SDES revised its methodology at the start of the academic year and now significantly revises the data from previous months every month.

Looking at the long-term trend, from December 2024 to November 2025 (over a rolling 12-month period), 378.806 homes were authorized for construction, a figure 9,5% below the average of the previous five years.

In terms of housing starts, over the last twelve months, 272.692 housing units were reportedly started, which is 22,2% less than the average of the previous five years.

New construction has been facing a serious crisis for three years due to rising construction costs and increased interest rates, which have blocked the home purchase plans of many households.

The end of support measures for rental investment, particularly the Pinel tax scheme, has also driven away individual investors.

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.