Urban renewal: 69.000 social housing units already delivered

Some 69.000 social housing units have already been delivered under the New Urban Renewal Program (NPNRU), announced the Director General of the National Agency for Urban Renewal (Anru) on Wednesday, May 20, who reassured everyone about the agency's financial situation.

"The NPNRU is in a really active phase of its deployment (...) By the end of 2025, we are at 81% of the program which is financially committed. (...) This means that to date, we have delivered 69.000 new or renovated social housing units," Anne-Claire Mialot told the Senate's Economic Affairs Committee, mentioning housing units that "reach the B label" of energy performance for 80% of the renovations.

She also reported that 46.000 social housing units had been demolished, and that the supply of these units must be replaced in major cities, as well as the delivery of 341 facilities and business premises, many of which are schools.

Regarding concerns about the agency's cash flow, after the cancellation of the State's commitment in 2024 and the limited budget of 50 million euros in 2025, Ms. Mialot mentioned a "much more positive" situation, with the increase in the State's contribution to 116 million euros.

"We should be able to finish the year 2026 without difficulties and probably (...) to also get through the year 2027 in cash," she said, also welcoming the announcement of a third Anru program.

"This is a public policy that is essential and important for the residents of the neighborhoods, but also more broadly for the social cohesion of our country," she said.

According to LR Senator Dominique Estrosi-Sassone, this Anru 3 would concern "150 priority districts" compared to 447 for the current program as well as an amount of 5 to 7 billion euros committed over ten years (2030-2040), compared to 12 billion currently.

When questioned, the office of the Minister for Urban Affairs, Vincent Jeanbrun, confirmed the amount of 5 billion euros and a number of "at least 150 districts".

This hearing comes as LR senators tabled a bill at the end of April aimed in particular at abolishing the Anru in order to tackle the "proliferation" of state agencies.

"We are a fixed-term agency. We are an agency that was created to manage a program. (...) If there is no third urban renewal program, the agency will close," acknowledged Ms. Mialot, mentioning "room for simplification" and the possibility of delegating approvals for the reconstitution of social housing to metropolitan areas and departments.

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.