Proposed Legislation on Social Housing Conditions Sparks Controversy in French Parliament
Lawmakers debate stringent measures on social housing tenancy, facing strong opposition from the left and housing professionals.
On March 31, 2025, French lawmakers are set to examine a proposal aimed at tightening the conditions under which tenants may remain in social housing.
The legislation, introduced by former Housing Minister Guillaume Kasbarian from the ruling party, aims to lower income thresholds that allow social landlords to request tenants to vacate or impose additional rent charges, referred to as _‘sur-loyer’_.
The proposed changes would define a new criterion for lease termination: possession of a home deemed suitable to meet an individual's needs or that generates income sufficient for access to private housing.
According to the report by the text's rapporteur, EPR deputy Stéphane Vojetta, the objective is to enhance _‘social justice’_ and improve turnover in social housing.
Under the proposed law, a worker in Saint-Denis would be required to leave social housing upon reaching a net salary of €3,800 monthly, a decrease from the current threshold of €4,336.
Vojetta estimates that around 30,000 social housing units could be made available, as 2.7 million households were reported to be awaiting housing at the end of 2024.
Opposition from the left is evident, with Thomas Portes, an Insoumis deputy from Seine-Saint-Denis, asserting that measures concerning _‘sur-loyers’_ and mandates for leaving social housing are already in place.
His party has filed a motion for the rejection of the draft legislation.
In an effort to garner support from opposition parties, Vojetta has proposed several amendments, including one that modifies the law’s title, criticized as misleading for suggesting an end to lifelong tenancies in social housing.
Other amendments stipulate that the requirement for lease termination applies only in high-demand areas, excluding priority urban policy (QPV) neighborhoods, and that those neighborhoods be exempted from _‘sur-loyer’_ charges to maintain social diversity.
Socialists have expressed skepticism about Vojetta's approach, with deputy Iñaki Echaniz characterizing the draft law as _‘ineffective, unjust, or counterproductive’_.
The Rassemblement National has also introduced amendments that would restrict the tightening of rental conditions to French nationals and advocate for the inclusion of _‘national preference’_ among eligibility criteria for social housing access.
In the previous week, the commission adopted amendments from left-wing deputies aimed at eliminating key articles of the bill, yet ultimately voted to retain the proposal in its original form for parliamentary consideration.
Communist deputies have called for the bill's removal from the agenda, citing a significant opposition majority against it.
Minister of City Affairs Juliette Méadel highlighted the need for social diversity during a debate on a social media platform, noting her support for the commission's rejection of the bill.
In response, Kasbarian suggested that Méadel consider resigning.
During a recent discussion, Housing Minister Valérie Létard emphasized the need for a balanced text that aligns with commendable objectives.
The Union Sociale pour l'Habitat, representing social landlords, has expressed strong opposition to the proposed legislation, arguing that the lowering and broad application of income thresholds will undermine social diversity—a foundational principle of the French social housing model—thereby exacerbating ghetto formations.
Similarly, the National Agency for Information on Housing (Anil) criticized the bill, suggesting it is more of a media diversion than a legitimate response to the deep housing crisis.
The legislation, introduced by former Housing Minister Guillaume Kasbarian from the ruling party, aims to lower income thresholds that allow social landlords to request tenants to vacate or impose additional rent charges, referred to as _‘sur-loyer’_.
The proposed changes would define a new criterion for lease termination: possession of a home deemed suitable to meet an individual's needs or that generates income sufficient for access to private housing.
According to the report by the text's rapporteur, EPR deputy Stéphane Vojetta, the objective is to enhance _‘social justice’_ and improve turnover in social housing.
Under the proposed law, a worker in Saint-Denis would be required to leave social housing upon reaching a net salary of €3,800 monthly, a decrease from the current threshold of €4,336.
Vojetta estimates that around 30,000 social housing units could be made available, as 2.7 million households were reported to be awaiting housing at the end of 2024.
Opposition from the left is evident, with Thomas Portes, an Insoumis deputy from Seine-Saint-Denis, asserting that measures concerning _‘sur-loyers’_ and mandates for leaving social housing are already in place.
His party has filed a motion for the rejection of the draft legislation.
In an effort to garner support from opposition parties, Vojetta has proposed several amendments, including one that modifies the law’s title, criticized as misleading for suggesting an end to lifelong tenancies in social housing.
Other amendments stipulate that the requirement for lease termination applies only in high-demand areas, excluding priority urban policy (QPV) neighborhoods, and that those neighborhoods be exempted from _‘sur-loyer’_ charges to maintain social diversity.
Socialists have expressed skepticism about Vojetta's approach, with deputy Iñaki Echaniz characterizing the draft law as _‘ineffective, unjust, or counterproductive’_.
The Rassemblement National has also introduced amendments that would restrict the tightening of rental conditions to French nationals and advocate for the inclusion of _‘national preference’_ among eligibility criteria for social housing access.
In the previous week, the commission adopted amendments from left-wing deputies aimed at eliminating key articles of the bill, yet ultimately voted to retain the proposal in its original form for parliamentary consideration.
Communist deputies have called for the bill's removal from the agenda, citing a significant opposition majority against it.
Minister of City Affairs Juliette Méadel highlighted the need for social diversity during a debate on a social media platform, noting her support for the commission's rejection of the bill.
In response, Kasbarian suggested that Méadel consider resigning.
During a recent discussion, Housing Minister Valérie Létard emphasized the need for a balanced text that aligns with commendable objectives.
The Union Sociale pour l'Habitat, representing social landlords, has expressed strong opposition to the proposed legislation, arguing that the lowering and broad application of income thresholds will undermine social diversity—a foundational principle of the French social housing model—thereby exacerbating ghetto formations.
Similarly, the National Agency for Information on Housing (Anil) criticized the bill, suggesting it is more of a media diversion than a legitimate response to the deep housing crisis.
