In Paris, the search for student housing remains a major challenge even after the start of the academic year. Many students are still unable to find a place to live, with some facing extremely competitive situations. For example, over 766 people applied for a single apartment near the Père-Lachaise cemetery, far exceeding the usual number of around 250. The property owner, Marie, said that many applicants are already in Paris without a place to stay, and she was surprised by the overwhelming response. She expressed that she would have been satisfied with just 50 applicants. Élie, a 22-year-old photography student, has been searching for housing for a month. He has visited over 20 listings and spends most of his day responding to advertisements, often applying immediately after receiving a notification to be among the first to get a visit. Despite his efforts, the competition is fierce—up to 20 people apply for each listing. While he has encountered difficult conditions, like an apartment infested with cockroaches, he remains hopeful about finding a suitable place. Natalia, an undergraduate student working at a trendy café in the 1st arrondissement, has submitted 200 applications and received only one response for a visit next week. She is willing to pay up to 1,000 euros in rent, which she considers a high amount for a student in Paris. Unable to find a place in the city, she has returned to live with her parents in the Oise department, enduring a two-hour commute each way. This situation is causing her stress as the academic year progresses. Chams, a 22-year-old student, has found a place to live through the KAPS (Colocations à Projets Solidaires) program, which provides affordable housing to students in exchange for mentorship and community service. He shares an 80-square-meter apartment with two other students for 450 euros, a significant improvement from his previous experience, where landlords often ignored rent control regulations. This arrangement allows him to save 300 euros each month, improving his quality of life and reducing the need to work long hours. However, Chams acknowledges that he is fortunate—only about 50 KAPS places are available in Paris, highlighting the scarcity of affordable student housing in the city.