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Social housing: landlords lack public money to renovate and build
Social housing: landlords lack public money to renovate and build
(France 2)
Social housing landlords are facing cuts in state funding. In Montreuil, the facades of a historic city have been renovated, but the rest of the work is on hold. Residents and the landlord denounce areas that are “close to insalubrity”.
The red bricks of the social housing in Montreuil (Seine-Saint-Denis) are a symbol of the city’s working-class past. The social landlord decided a few years ago to renovate these buildings, which are almost 100 years old.There are approximately 128 homes in this city, and as many households who should benefit from these improvements in their daily lives.“, explains Florent Gueguen, president of Est Ensemble Habitat. Here, the cost of the rehabilitation amounts to 8 million euros.
The facades have been restored but the lessor has had to make choices due to lack of sufficient provisions, and some work is delayed. The renovation of the common areas will have to wait.The soils have been in their original condition since the 1930s.“, he continues, referring to certain parts”close to unsanitary conditions“. Corinne Chaumont has lived here for over 20 years. Her kitchen and bathroom have been renovated, but the state of the stairwell annoys her.”I feel like we’re being pushed aside. We come from social housing, so we have to accept things as they are.“, she denounces. Since 2017, the State has reduced its funding by 14 billion euros, according to the Social Union for Housing. Social landlords must choose between renovating and building.