Many mayors complain of objective blockages

Adopted on 13 December 2000, the Act solidarity and renewal urban (CCS) will blow its 10 candles. This River text that created many documents of urban planning (PLU, SCOT, PLH, etc.), especially selected article 55 of the genus to impose social diversity in habitat. It requires more Commons of 3.500 inhabitants (1,500 in Ile-de-France) located in towns more 50,000 inhabitants, to achieve the 20 quota of social housing in their stock of dwellings in 2020. 730 Cities concerned were held in a roadmap review every three years. If from one year to another, the public authorities find an insufficient effort of production, which was the case for 330 of SRU cities in the last balance sheet for 2008, they are subject to a fine of EUR 152 by missing housing. This tax including the complex calculation is the amount at 324 euro, is levied by the State fiscal resources of the commune, but the coercive apparatus has never finally shown its effectiveness.

"Right to not build".

First, many municipalities prefer to pay the penalties rather than increase their fleet of HLM. "This choice cheaper them to subsidize the building", says Thierry Repentin, Savoie PS Senator and President of the social Union for habitat (USH). "They are buying the right to not build", confirms Véronique Monge, Mayor Assistant of doves in charge of habitat and housing. Another perverse effect: once paid to the State, the fine is ceded back to the city via a local fund dedicated to housing. This amount is then attributed by the same local politicians to social landlords to finance operations, which costs them less than direct subsidies. "There are many ways not to pay or reduce the fine." "In short, it is easy to pass through the cracks", summarizes Jean-Paul Alduy, Senator UMP of Pyrénées-Orientales.

The text rather than the application of sanctions accompanying still made road in ten years. "Initially disparaged, article 55 permitted a one taken general awareness among local elected representatives of right or left", is Valerie Fournier, Member of the Executive Board of CGE Habitat, housing operator BPCE group. In many cases, the social sector became the only possible roof, for the middle classes excluded by the free market prices. "Be strong political will", should be Bruno Corinti, Delegate General Manager of the housing of Nexity pole. "This obligation has released the mayors of the electorally sensitive." "They rely on the Act to justify their choice", says Thierry Repentin. According to the latter, about 60 of the annual production of housing resulting from the application of the text.

The pupils whose rate moves progressively 20 regularly launch programs and some entered this movement in their local plans d'urbanisme, Montauban, Annecy, Dijon, etc. "in Ile-de-France, where the situation is difficult, elected from Paris, Croissy-sur-Seine, Leroi or Fourqueux are managed to impose mandatory quotas in all new operations"says Benoît Quignon, Director of the promotion of the French housing group. "And this is not because some cities are about to reach the legal threshold that they will stop there." "Dynamics is launched", says Philippe Jossé, Director-General housing France in Bouygues Immobilier. On the other hand, cities with less than 10, as Saint-Maur in the Val-de-Marne, Hyères, Nice or Toulon in Paca region, rates still dragged feet in 2008 at the time of the last balance sheet. Many mayors complain of objective blockages. The shortage of land and the high price of land would not facilitate housing at controlled prices.

"Solidarity effort".

Other elected residential Commons, are anxious not to face an electorate of owners who do not appreciate the arrival of HLM in them. "The effort of solidarity is not shared by all." "It's blatant in the Hauts-de-Seine", says Véronique Monge. Elected officials "Builders" frequently see their operations slowed by attacks by the residents. "All programs launched in the 16th arrondissement of the capital are at a standstill due to use," confirms Christian Nicole, Director of housing in the Paris City Hall. To encourage municipalities outside the law building, the State periodically threatens to chopping the fatal weapon without ever going to the Act: a prefect may substitute for the Mayor to preempt land or buildings and issue the permit to construct a social building. Many elected officials argue for a financial penalty more deterrent.