Housing policy revision announced

Plaine Commune, a public organization managing housing in the Seine-Saint-Denis area, announced changes to its housing policy during a conference on October 27, 2026. The meeting brought together social housing providers and government agencies to discuss new strategies for supporting low-income residents.

Rent freeze for some social housing

Three social housing organizations—Seine-Saint-Denis Habitat, Plaine Commune Habitat, and the public housing office of Aubervilliers—have agreed to freeze rents for 2027. This freeze applies only to the housing managed by these specific organizations, not automatically to all social housing in the region.

High demand for affordable housing

The conference highlighted a significant gap between the number of people seeking social housing and the availability of units. There are 45,294 housing applications in the area, with 62% from households under the PLAI income limits, which define the most modest earners.

Funding priorities for future housing

Plaine Commune aims to increase the share of social rental housing in future construction projects, focusing on PLUS and PLAI financing. PLAI supports the poorest households, while PLUS covers a broader range of social housing. PLI, for intermediate incomes, serves a different group with distinct income limits and rent levels.

Current housing program and future revisions

The current housing program, covering the years 2022 to 2027, was approved in June 2022. No specific percentages for PLAI or PLUS housing have been set yet. The new policy directions from the October conference need to be integrated into future planning and housing projects, with a planned revision of the local housing program in 2027.

Expanding rent freeze and improving allocation

Plaine Commune plans to expand the rent freeze policy to other organizations and improve the intermunicipal agreement for social housing. The goal is to make decision-making more transparent and better aligned with the needs of applicants, though no immediate changes to allocation rules are expected from this conference.

Ongoing efforts and community involvement

Partners have identified several shared priorities, including preventing evictions, managing additional housing costs, reducing vacant properties, and improving conditions for tenants with disabilities. Working groups will now bring together residents and housing providers to define specific actions and measures.

Application process for social housing

For households waiting for HLM (social housing), the application process remains the same in Île-de-France. Applicants must follow a single file system, which requires annual renewal and updates if there are changes in income or family situation. The Service Public website provides detailed information on eligibility, required documents, and procedures.