Marianne Auffret discusses the escalating housing crisis affecting young people, exacerbated by a 2021 reform that ties housing assistance to current earnings. This shift, coupled with rising living costs and stagnant social housing supply, leaves many young individuals in precarious situations, often leading them to move back in with parents. Barriers to accessing social housing and stringent rental requirements further isolate this demographic. Proposed solutions include revising housing quotas and implementing a universal rent guarantee to improve housing stability for young individuals.
The Deteriorating Housing Situation for Young People
Marianne Auffret highlights a troubling trend: the housing crisis is worsening, particularly for young individuals. The 2021 reform of personal housing assistance has significantly impacted this demographic. Previously, aid was based on income from two years prior, but now it fluctuates in real-time with current earnings. This change disproportionately affects young people who often have short-term contracts and unstable employment situations. As a result, many students and young workers find themselves in increasingly precarious situations. Compounding this issue, young people’s earnings are declining while living costs continue to rise, all amidst a stagnant supply of social housing. Statistically, young individuals represent the most economically vulnerable group in society.
Rising Number of Young People Returning to Parental Homes
The phenomenon of “boomerang children” is becoming more common, as many young workers are forced to move back in with their parents due to housing shortages. For instance, before 2021, young workers typically spent an average of six months in youth hostels. However, by 2023, this duration has ballooned to 11 months, resulting in a significant reduction in the number of young people accommodated each year—from 90,000 to about 50,000. The increasing difficulty in finding affordable private housing, along with stringent landlord requirements, pushes more young people into homelessness or back to their family homes. Although government initiatives have promoted apprenticeships for individuals up to the age of 29 since 2019, the supply of housing has not kept pace, leading to a concerning trend of young people abandoning their studies due to inadequate housing options.
Barriers to Accessing Social Housing
The social housing sector has seen a dramatic decline in turnover rates, primarily due to the ongoing housing crisis. In major cities, the wait for social housing can extend for years, making it nearly impossible for young individuals needing immediate accommodation. Meanwhile, the construction of new social housing is at an all-time low. Consequently, young people are forced to seek out private rentals, which presents its own set of challenges. Unlike other demographics, students and young workers often struggle to meet the stringent requirements imposed by landlords, such as providing three recent pay slips, demonstrating a salary that is three times the rent, and being able to cover multiple months of deposit. This creates a cycle of exclusion from the private rental market for young individuals.
Solutions for Improving Housing Access for Young People
To address this urgent situation, immediate action is needed to prevent further deterioration. One crucial step is to ensure that intermediate housing does not count towards social housing quotas under the SRU law. This was a suggestion from former housing minister Guillaume Kasbarian, aimed at expanding affordable housing options, but it has yet to be reviewed by Parliament following the recent dissolution of the National Assembly. Additionally, revitalizing the construction of social housing is essential. In the private sector, implementing a universal rent guarantee could be transformative. This fund, financed by the state, would protect landlords in cases of unpaid rent, thereby encouraging them to lower their demands for tenant qualifications. Such measures would significantly enhance access to housing for young individuals, providing them with the stability they need to thrive.