Reappointed, Valérie Létard, adored by the housing sector, loses her full ministry

Called to be reappointed before even leaving the walls of her Ministry of Housing and Urban Renewal, the confirmation of Valérie Létard has delighted the entire housing and real estate sector.

"The confirmation of Valérie Létard in the new government led by François Bayrou demonstrates the recognition of her skills and her commitment," reacted the National Real Estate Federation (Fnaim) in a press release.

But this appointment is tarnished by the loss of the full ministry, which was a first since Emmanuel Macron's arrival at the Elysée in 2017, in favor of a ministry attached to the Minister of Regional Planning and Decentralization.

"Housing is a vital need and the largest item of expenditure for the French: it deserved a full minister", and the housing crisis requires "strong, ambitious and immediate responses", regrets Loïc Cantin, president of Fnaim.

The status of "minister to" does not change "much" according to the Ministry of Housing, which retains its prerogatives concerning housing and control over the budget, as well as the right to participate in cabinet meetings.

Rebsamen and Lombard

The HLM movement, represented by the Union sociale pour l'habitat (USH) federation, also regrets that "the question of urban renovation is no longer mentioned", even if this portfolio has not yet been officially allocated.

Social landlords, on the other hand, are pleased with the entry into government of the director of the Caisse des Dépôts, Eric Lombard: "The appointment of Eric Lombard, who knows social housing very well, to the Ministry of the Economy must mark a change of direction in terms of housing policy", states Emmanuelle Cosse, president of the USH, in a press release.

"Housing policy is an investment and we expect it to help us recover the resources necessary for our role in serving the general interest," she continues.

The housing sector also welcomed the appointment of the former mayor of Dijon, François Rebsamen, to the Ministry of Regional Planning.

"The duo of François Rebsamen in the Territories and Valérie Létard being reappointed to Housing is a wonderful Christmas present," said Norbert Fanchon, president of the Gambetta real estate group, on X.

Rain of praise

After the censure of the Barnier government and before the announcement of the new government, Valérie Létard was the subject of a shower of praise and support.

"She knows the problems and the economics of construction and housing as well as I do. There is nothing political, I don't think we can do better, so we have to continue," boasted Olivier Salleron, president of the French Construction Federation.

"Valérie Létard has understood the emergency files," declared Loïc Cantin at the beginning of December.

During her first three months in government, Valérie Létard, aged 62, has convinced people with her ability to listen to stakeholders, her knowledge of the housing sector, her social awareness and her awareness of the current crisis affecting access to housing for French households and the economic activity of real estate companies.

Well advised not to make any commitments upon her arrival given the "budgetary reality", she had simply promised to "fight for housing while recalling that she had "no magic wand".

But for the president of the National Housing Confederation, Eddie Jacquemart, we now need to act and "bang the table and say 'enough is enough, we need to put together a serious work plan to address the housing crisis, with financial resources'."