a shortage of housing on the island of Yeu

The island of Yeu (Vendée), a former fishing island, is seeing real estate prices soar. With a majority of second homes, housing has become hell for residents. Four colleagues who work at the island’s hospital live together in a house rented by the establishment. Housing your employees has become a common response to the current crisis. “70 m2 is often 600,000 euros. We don’t have the possibility, even if we are a doctor”notes Doctor Baptiste Janvier, general practitioner.

The mayor wants to encourage owners with a bonus

Even finding a rental is complicated. “The accommodation is rented mainly on a seasonal basis and is rented much more expensively per week”, indicates Doctor Pauline Bois, general practitioner. The Ile d’Yeu hospital lacks doctors and half of the positions are vacant. The mayor wants to find solutions, but the law does not allow her to force rentals from residents. She wants to encourage owners to give up tourist rentals by promising them a bonus.