Real estate in Monroe: Mayor Bessac criticizes cities refusing to build social housing

**"In Montreuil, as in all of France, the housing crisis is a serious problem. Inflation, rising interest rates on loans for borrowers, increase in the cost of real estate and rent, limited conditions for renting, decline in furnished accommodation before the2024 Olympic Games in Paris, reduction in the number of places in dormitories, constant increase in rental prices..."

** In all of France, there are5 million social housing consumers. These well-known phenomena lead to a shortage of housing and accommodation problems, forcing many of our compatriots to turn to social housing and remain on waiting lists for too long. In Montreuil, there are more than9,000 of them, while in all of France -5 million!

"In this context, it is unacceptable for some cities to continue to violate the law establishing a minimum of20-25% social housing," says Mayor Patrice Bessac of Montreuil. In Montreuil,39% of the housing is social housing. Since2014, social housing has accounted for42% of the total number of new constructions. From2020 to2023,1,252 new social housing units were built. "In Montreuil, we continue to work on the issue of social housing. This is a huge effort, our responsibility, and we take it seriously," emphasizes Patrice Bessac.

Neuilly-sur-Seine, Vaucresson, and Boulogne-Billancourt: the poor students of the Aignay department.

In inner France, in the sight of the state, cities like Neuilly-sur-Seine, Vaucresson, or Boulogne-Billancourt have only 7%, 9%, and barely 15% social housing, respectively. Patrice Bessac, the mayor of Montreuil, demands that the prefects hold mayors accountable: "Housing is a right, housing is a matter of dignity, housing is an integral part of our republican motto based on equality and brotherhood. Gentlemen prefects, use your power."

In his opinion, public housing service is the foundation of our social life.

“We are proud that in Montreux, 42% of all residential buildings are social housing. This result is a product of political choice and a constant struggle against real estate market trends,” adds Patrice Bessac, the mayor of Montreux. Responding to the housing crisis also means fighting against inadequate living conditions.

In addition to building new social housing, the city of Montreuil is actively and financially participating in an inter-municipal program to combat inadequate living conditions, which conducts a multi-faceted program for the renovation of private residential buildings that are severely damaged and located in the territory of the Eastern Municipal Area. As part of the national program for the requalification of old degraded neighborhoods (PNRQAD), Montreuil-Bagnolet, in the Fraternité district, in the west of Bas-Montreuil, has been implementing a programmed operation for housing improvement - urban renewal (OPAH-RU) since 2014.

In collaboration with the SOREQA administrator, who acts on behalf of the collectives to implement the elimination of these unsuitable premises, the arrangement operation involves a deep reconstruction of all designated unfit buildings. Each specified address is subject to state acquisition, potential residents are relocated, and they have the right to return (which the city is very concerned about) after the demolition-construction project or complete housing reconstruction is carried out, which, with the help of ANAH funding, allows for the creation of new social housing.

From 2014 to 2020, a decision was made to carry out work on thermal renovation, facades, roofs, electricity, networks, eliminating lead risk, structures, etc., totaling 6.8 million euros, which accounts for 82% of the reconstruction task for common areas set in 2014. These works were subsidized with 1.4 million euros from ANAH, 440,000 euros from Est Ensemble, and nearly 100,000 euros distributed between CR IDF and CD 93. Approximately forty owners with low or very low incomes received significant state subsidies, in some cases up to 80%, to help them finance their work. In total, hundreds of households will improve their living conditions through projects related to common areas (stairwells, facades, renovation...) or within their homes.

Voluntary Opening of Temporary Housing Locations For several years, Montreuil, in partnership with the Regional and Interdepartmental Housing and Accommodation Management (DRIHL 93), has voluntarily opened a municipal sports hall in December for at least 6 weeks to enhance the capacity for receiving and providing accommodation for the homeless and those without housing. This program goes beyond simple shelter, creating conditions for genuine support to prevent a return to the streets, and continues numerous solidarity policies implemented in Montreuil (including temporary housing options available year-round in the city). This solidarity effort increases reception capacities coordinated by the 115 service, complements the already existing temporary housing options in Montreuil, and, most importantly, allows each accepted individual to participate in a support program with social workers.