A crisis that worsens in France

The housing crisis is still increasing. In its 30th report, the Foundation for the Housing of the disadvantaged (ex-Father Pierre-Pierre) depicts an unprecedented and critical situation. Poverty progresses strongly in France. The number of homeless people has more than doubled in 10 years, going from 141,500 to 350,000. “Such a rise, in such a short time, should cause the effect of an electroshococo on the part of the government and more broadly of the whole society, ”regrets sociologist Christophe Robert, general delegate of the Foundation.

The low consideration of this problem is perceived in the statistics published by the association. Last year, 735 people died in the street. In parallel with this figure, the highest for twelve years, the demand for social housing continues to grow and 30 % of households said they had been cold in their accommodation in 2024, against 14 % in 2020.

Exceptional floods in the center-East and the South, Cyclone Chido in Mayotte… Natural disasters have also recalled how precarious extent are exposed. To respond to this problem, a third national plan to adapt to climate change was unveiled in 2024. However for the Foundation, it is limited for the moment to a “list of intentions but almost without standards or budgets”.

A lack of political action

The report is critical of the action of the previous government, accused of having taken few measures to reverse the trend. The two main ones, the extension of the zero rate loan and the exceptional exemption from inheritance tax on donations in the event of purchase of a main residence, are not enough to convince the organization, which qualifies them “as unequal and not very ecological ”.

France would make the costs of a year of institutional immobility and a lack of political will. “The executive, which sinks into instability, penalizes an area where the long time reigns, alerts Christophe Robert. We had seven months without a minister of housing and eight successive ministers since the election of President Emmanuel Macron. For the general delegate of the Foundation for the Housing of disadvantaged, it would be more than a white year in terms of housing policy.

There remains a glimmer of hope: the supervision of rents. Applied in around fifty municipalities, this device makes it possible to limit the abusive amounts. Enough to allow many tenants to save several hundred euros per year. The lifespan of this experimental system was also extended until November 2026.

This 30th report of the Foundation for the Housing of the disadvantaged is the last signed “Abbé Pierre”. The structure formalized its name change on January 25, 2025, erasing the name of its creator after the numerous accusations of sexual violence concerning him.