The housing issue (and particularly social housing) is constantly at the forefront of local political debate. Moreover, with 70% of the population eligible to apply for housing, how could it be any different?
Following the statements of Paul Cuturello (editor’s note: our issue of January 9), it’s now the turn of the Left Front candidate in the municipal elections, municipal and metropolitan councilor Robert Injey, to contribute to the opposition’s discourse.
In short, the arguments remain the same, and how could they not be since they are based on numbers. Therefore, data that are subject to multiple and varied analyses.
For Robert Injey: “We are very far from meeting the needs. Nice lags behind in social housing with 3 to 4 years of waiting and 7 applicants for one allocated housing unit!”
Furthermore, for the communist official: “We are the last, and we will stay the last. Indeed, the 2014 budget foresees 8.4 million euros in the BP compared to 12.2 in 2013 as well as a significant reduction in aid to social landlords at 6.2 million euros compared to 8.1 in 2013.”
And he also contests: “While the figures show 3,865 social housing units approved between 2008 and 2013, the net balance between demolitions and acquisitions/constructions is only an additional 1,494 units. A figure described as ‘nowhere near enough considering the effort still needed.’”
The other sensitive point of this issue is the transparency claimed by Christian Estrosi’s deputy in the Municipal Council debate and more recently in an interview with the local daily newspaper: “The assignments are made by a public commission of Côte Azur Habitat.”
“Yes,” says Robert Injey, “but the town hall has the right to submit about 20% of the assignments’ proposals to the commission and social landlords… Ultimately, what the opposition has always requested is to sit on this commission.”
The final request is simple: Why does the majority refuse?”
The floor is now with the majority… To be continued!
