There are measures with immediate effect. And the longer-term projects that will be launched. Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne will present this Monday at the end of the day the government’s plan to fight against the housing crisis which is gaining momentum in France, after the restitution of the works of the National Refoundation Council (CNR) for housing .
Among the priorities: facilitating access to housing for households, whether buying or renting, in particular in the most tense areas of the territory. Namely large cities, but also tourist areas, especially by the sea. Or sites – for example Dunkirk and its surroundings – called upon to host mega factories which will need to recruit.
Boost the real solidarity lease
On the acquisitions side, one of the subjects already identified for several months is that of mortgages. The executive promises the extension until the end of the year of the monthly payment of the rate of wear – this maximum rate at which the banks have the right to lend. And a relaxation of the conditions for granting loans for first-time buyers and in the event of rental investment. However, he admits that the decision will be up to the High Council for Financial Stability (HCSF) which must decide on June 13.
The zero-rate loan (PTZ) this device to help access to the purchase of a main residence, which was to end at the end of 2023, will also be extended until 2027. But with a more limited scope . It will be refocused on new apartments in tight areas and reserved, in relaxed areas, for the purchase of old housing subject to renovation.
The executive also wants to boost the real solidarity lease (BRS), another device for the time being intended for low-income households, which allows them to become the owner of a dwelling in a tight area at a lower cost, thanks to a mechanism for dissociating the ownership of land and that of buildings.
More Visale Guarantees
The resource ceilings will be reviewed so that more households can benefit from this BRS. In addition, a zoning review will make it possible to switch new territories into tight areas and again increase the number of potential beneficiaries.
With regard to tenants, the government promises to open up to more municipalities the development of intermediate rental housing – whose rents are higher than those of HLM but lower than those of private housing.
It must also announce an expansion of the Visale Guarantee – this free deposit for tenants in need of guarantors issued by Action Logement. It reures owners who would hesitate to put their property up for rent for fear of ending up with unpaid rent.
The aim would be to benefit 2 million young people and employees between 2023 and 2027 – while 882,000 contracts have been signed since the creation of Visale in 2016.
Tax project
Elisabeth Borne must also open an eminently political project: that of the overhaul of taxation on rental accommodation, which today is very disparate between furnished and unfurnished accommodation and long and short-term rentals.
Politicians from all sides have been denouncing for months the “tax niche” from which they claim accommodation rented out on platforms such as Airbnb, Abritel or Booking. This penalizes, according to them, the traditional rental.
The executive also claims to have heard the concerns around the production and renovation of social housing. The Minister Delegate for Cities and Housing, Olivier Klein, had already promised for several months a “Pact of confidence” between the government and social landlords.
Funds to renovate HLMs
This pact should soon materialize with loan facilities granted to social landlords. A freeze on social contributions for 2023 and 2024. And the release of a financial envelope for the renovation of HLMs.
The second Housing First Plan, again announced a long time ago, should also see the light of day with increased resources: an additional 160 million euros over the five-year term. This plan should enable homeless people to move from emergency accommodation solutions to permanent accommodation solutions: boarding houses, HLM, or private housing at affordable rents thanks to rental intermediation systems.
While the new construction sector is experiencing a crisis of unprecedented magnitude, the government also intends to support the revival of production where the needs are most urgent.
Renovation of wasteland
As we have already indicated, Action Logement will also be called upon to buy back from real estate developers programs that they are struggling to sell, alongside CDC Habitat . Between them, they will invest in 47,000 social and intermediate housing units.
The executive also promises to free up more public land – at moderate prices – and to increase the means made available to rehabilitate industrial or commercial wastelands located in urban areas. It also aims for an “enhanced dialogue” with communities, where reluctance to issue building permits has been identified.
Finally, the government had already promised: the aid scheme for the energy renovation of MaPrimeRénov’ housing will benefit from additional resources. The target is 200,000 efficient renovations in 2024.
The number of France Rénov’ advice counters would increase from 400 today to 1,300 “in the coming years”. Finally, the number of Accompagnateur Rénov’, these trusted third parties supposed to encourage households to embark on major renovations, should increase from 2,000 currently to 5,000 in 2025.