In discussions regarding the budget orientation report, community leaders of the Côte d'Azur's Riviera French Agglomeration (Carf) have engaged in a critical dialogue about the management and maintenance of social housing in the eastern region of the department.

The discourse was initiated by Dominique Nicolaï, a representative from Menton, who focused on the issue of subsidies allocated to social housing landlords.

According to financial documentation presented to the elected officials, a total of €527,141 has been earmarked as subsidies for social landlords to construct housing complexes that include social housing units.

Nicolaï commented on the negative perception of the social housing sector, stating, "Social housing does not have a good reputation, unjustly, as there are very competent individuals in this field." He highlighted the need for better organization and enforcement of rules for tenants upon their move into these properties, suggesting that a structured management system would improve the conditions and perceptions of social housing.

In response to these challenges, Nicolaï proposed conditioning subsidies on the implementation of a property management system, regular property inspections, and the establishment of tenant councils.

Patrick Cesari, the Mayor of Roquebrune, supported this idea, indicating that landlords should be required to have representatives physically present to address local issues.

The vice-president expressed his intention to meet quarterly with state services regarding social housing matters, advocating for a review of financial aid linked to compliance with the SRU law, which mandates a minimum percentage of social housing in localities.

Yves Juhel, the president of Carf, expressed concern over the effectiveness of landlords lacking proper structure and local presence, emphasizing that direct communication with landlord presidents often becomes necessary when issues arise.

He recounted a recent instance where he had to escalate a local concern involving a landlord, emphasizing the importance of accountability in managing housing projects such as the BA 943 in Roquebrune and the Aroma eco-district in Menton.

Olivier Chantreau, Mayor of Castillon, underscored the landlords' obligation to maintain their properties beyond just filling vacancies quickly, raising issues about potential future dilapidation as the municipality prepares to take ownership of a stock of social housing in two decades.

To address the ongoing difficulties, Juhel proposed that landlords commit to a multi-year maintenance and repair plan, which would be subject to annual review for accountability.

Nicolaï noted that such planning documents already exist, pointing to a ten-year scheduled maintenance plan developed by property management to ensure ongoing upkeep.

Guillaume Contesse from Roquebrune suggested the introduction of a charter of commitment for landlords, which, while voluntary, could provide a legal basis for action in cases of non-compliance.

Stéphane Manfredi of Beausoleil raised concerns about the sale of apartments, stressing that profits from such transactions do not necessarily benefit local municipalities, and urged that funding from the Carf or municipalities should be reinvested locally for construction or maintenance purposes.

The community leaders, acknowledging the pressing penalties faced by municipalities failing to meet housing commitments, rallied around a collective message of accountability, signaling that non-compliance will not be overlooked.