MaPrimeRénov': The National Housing Council rejects the reduction of aid for isolated works

The National Housing Council (CNH) rejected two government proposals on Thursday, July 2nd, that aimed to restrict the list of individual renovation projects eligible for the MaPrimeRénov' grant. According to an opinion seen by AFP, the decree and the ministerial order received an unfavorable opinion from this advisory body, which brings together key stakeholders in the housing sector.

These two texts, expected to be published soon, aim to reduce the scope of the MaPrimeRénov' grants known as "per-gesture" grants. This scheme finances energy renovation work carried out in isolation, unlike the grants intended for comprehensive renovations, which support projects combining several types of work.

A significantly reduced list of eligible works

Le The government's plan is to remove [works] from the list of works eligible for MaPrimeRénov'. the installation of wood or pellet stoves, solar water heaters and heating systems (excluding overseas territories), heat pumps dedicated to the production of domestic hot water, ventilation systems, as well as roof and attic insulation work and window replacement.

However, the following would remain eligible: heat pump installations for heating (air/water, geothermal and solar thermal), connection to heat networks, carrying out energy audits, removal of fuel oil tanks as well as certain specific works carried out in buildings located in overseas territories.

On the other hand, the MaPrimeRénov' grants dedicated to comprehensive housing renovations are not affected by this reform and would continue to finance all of these works.

An unfavorable opinion from the National Housing Council

The National Human Rights Council (CNH) rejected this reform by 25 votes against, six votes for, and seven abstentions, according to the opinion consulted by AFP. This opinion, however, remains advisory and is not binding on the government.

The Ministry of Housing justified this development by assuming "a responsible choice: to concentrate public money on the most effective renovations", in order to favour comprehensive renovations "in a constrained budgetary context and in line with the "electrification plan" announced in April.

Building professionals are denouncing a decline in energy renovation

This direction gives rise to strong reactions among those involved in energy renovationFor Audrey Zermati, strategy director at Effy, a specialist in home renovation, this is "another disastrous signal sent to energy renovation".

For its part, the French Building Federation believes that the government is "abandoning energy renovation" with this "incomprehensible decision which goes against the grain of its stated environmental ambitions".

Jean-Christophe Repon, president of the Confederation of Crafts and Small Building Enterprises (Capeb), also warns of the consequences of this reform for both individuals and businesses: "The worst enemy of renovation is not the single-step approach, it is the absence of work. If we ask the French to do everything at once, many will simply give up on renovating their homes," he warns, while also expressing concern about the repercussions of this decision on the activity of companies in the sector.

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.