During the Metropolitan Council on Thursday, January 30 in Nice, the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis adopted a major reform of the Housing Solidarity Fund (FSL). Objective: simplify access to aid, strengthen eviction prevention, and better support the most vulnerable households.
With an annual budget of 2 million euros, largely financed by the Metropolis and its partners (Engie, EDF, Total Énergie, Erilia, and the Alpes-Maritimes CAF), the FSL is a key lever in combating residential insecurity. In 2024, 954 households benefited from 1,161 aids, ranging from financing the security deposit to assistance with energy bills.
Now, the reform introduces several new features:
- Increased income thresholds: enabling more precarious workers to access aid.
- Simplified procedures: certain requests can be made without going through a social worker.
- Enhanced prevention: identifying difficulties as soon as the first unpaid bills appear to avoid evictions.
- New aid against digital insecurity: maintaining access to phone and internet services for households in difficulty.
“We wanted to make this system more inclusive and responsive, to better help those in need. This helps avoid dramatic situations like evictions or energy poverty,” emphasized Anthony Borré, First Deputy Mayor of Nice and Vice-President of the Metropolis in charge of housing.
A lively debate on the new digital aid
While this reform was widely praised, a party in the opposition expressed reservations, particularly about the addition of aid for telephone and internet bills. Jean Moucheboeuf, a metropolitan councilor, expressed strong opinions on this new measure:
“We usually vote for this fund, but where is the limit? There are already aids for rent, utilities, energy… And now, we’re adding internet? We must question the relevance of these aids, especially in a context of budgetary restrictions. The urgency is housing, not a home connection.”
The elected official suggested an alternative: instead of funding individual subscriptions, he proposes developing public spaces equipped with internet connections, promoting both digital access and social connections.
A renewed commitment to the right to housing
Despite these debates, the FSL reform is part of a broader housing aid policy, integrated into the 4th Local Housing Program. The challenge remains significant: ensuring everyone has a roof over their head while adapting to new social and economic realities.
With these measures, the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis aims to strengthen its role as a bulwark against poverty and continue its efforts for more equitable access to housing.
