Social housing: a target of 100.000 constructions set for 2025

"Faced with the housing crisis (...) the government has committed through the 2025 finance law to reinvestment and remobilization of production levers," the two parties recalled in a joint press release.

"For this reinvestment to bear concrete fruit, the government and the HLM movement are committed to a roadmap that aims to mobilize all stakeholders (...) to achieve the production of 100.000 social housing units, in addition to the needs specific to urban renovation," the press release announced, specifying that "particular attention will be paid to small-scale housing."

For comparison, the Social Union for Housing (USH), which represents social landlords, estimates the number of social housing approvals issued in 85.300 at around 2024.

This roadmap, in four axes, was signed by the Minister of Housing Valérie Létard and all the HLM federations during a trip to Ormesson (Val-de-Marne).

Among the three other objectives, 120.000 to 130.000 social housing units will see their "energy mode renovated or changed", and social access to property ownership for HLM tenants will be facilitated.

As part of the New National Urban Renewal Programme (NPNRU), 16.500 social housing units will also be rebuilt.

Each objective is accompanied by a list of reciprocal commitments, associated financial resources and monitoring indicators.

"We need to mobilize (...) to give a boost to the world of social housing (...) The sector will be able to free up an additional billion euros to build social housing and renovate the stock," explained Ms. Létard in an interview with Ouest France on Thursday.

To boost the construction of social housing, the government has reduced the annual levy on landlords by 200 million euros, known as the "solidarity rent reduction" (RLS).

It also relies on the reduction of the Livret A rate on February 1st and on the extension of the zero-rate loan (PTZ) for new builds throughout the territory and for all types of housing. The PTZ remains applicable, however, for old builds, in relaxed areas, and subject to thermal renovation work.

"These financial provisions will be supplemented by measures to mobilise land and simplify legislation and regulations," the press release states, while support for "building mayors" of 100 million euros is also planned.

"The 2025 finance law finally marks a change in the budgetary treatment of social housing," the USH said in a press release, recalling that the financial situation of lessors was deteriorating.

"This roadmap is a first step in a difficult time for an entire sector," said its president Emmanuelle Cosse, quoted in the press release.

"Valérie Létard's commitment deserves to be commended, even if this reduction remains insufficient in view of the seriousness of the housing crisis," said Jean-Luc Vidon, president of the National Federation of Regional HLM Associations, pointing to the "disappearance" of aid of 400 million euros from the State in 2025 for the renovation of the HLM stock.

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.