Tuesday, November 18: all mobilized against energy poverty!

The situation regarding energy poverty is far from improving. The latest figures show that in 2025, 35% of French people reported suffering from the cold in their homes, compared to only 14% in 2020. 36% had difficulty paying their energy bills, compared to 28% last year. But energy poverty can also be a consequence of heat, a phenomenon that affected one in two French people this year. Another alarming indicator: 1,2 million interventions for unpaid energy bills were recorded, corresponding to power reductions or gas and electricity cutoffs, representing a 20% increase in one year and a doubling in five years.

But despite all these indicators, the government doesn't seem to grasp the seriousness of energy poverty in France. And it is these budget cuts that the organizations behind the November 18th day of action want to denounce this year.

The energy crisis following the war in Ukraine has passed, yet energy prices have not fallen and more and more households are struggling to pay their bills. Price caps have ended, exceptional energy vouchers have ceased to be distributed, and the regular energy voucher was sent out six months late. And for 2026, it is facing a shortfall of €225 million, or a quarter of its budget!

4,2 million homes are energy inefficient (classes F and G), and the U-turns regarding MaPrimeRénov' are negatively impacting low-income households. With the reform initiated in 2024, a very low-income household living in an energy-inefficient home could receive up to €63.000 in aid to renovate their property. The goal was finally to eliminate out-of-pocket expenses, an essential condition for a lasting escape from energy poverty. But the reform had barely been launched when the MaPrimeRénov' budget was already reduced by €1 billion in 2025 and is expected to decrease by another €500 million in 2026. As a consequence of this reduced budget, the eligibility thresholds have also been lowered: this same very low-income household is now only eligible for a maximum of €32.000 in aid.

While social housing is less frequently energy-inefficient than private housing, its residents are more likely to experience energy poverty due to lower incomes. Although it is essential that social housing providers have the resources to build energy-efficient housing and renovate existing properties, successive governments have consistently cut their funding. At the 2023 social housing congress, a promise was made to dedicate €1,2 billion over three years to the energy renovation of social housing. The initial €400 million per year was reduced to €200 million, which was ultimately frozen. And in the 2026 budget, there is no funding whatsoever dedicated to the energy renovation of social housing!

Inaction has considerable social (impact on health, education, etc.) and environmental costs. It is therefore urgent to raise public awareness and to challenge elected officials and decision-makers about the tragedy of energy poverty. This is the entire objective of the day of action on November 18th.

The full program of 180 events organized across France is available to discover. here.