Housing: After attacks by Lionnel Luca, the prefect of Alpes-Maritimes breaks his silence

After Lionnel Luca’s statements at the Villeneuve-Loubet municipal council on social housing and the coastline, the prefect of Alpes-Maritimes takes the floor. Laurent Hottiaux contests the accusations against State services and provides clarifications on the implementation of the SRU law and the management of the maritime public domain.

The debate between the municipality of Villeneuve-Loubet and State services continues. At the municipal council on June 30, mayor Lionnel Luca had strongly criticized the application of the Solidarity and Urban Renewal Law (SRU). The elected official notably denounced the social housing construction targets set for the municipality, describing the financial levies as “State extortion.” Regarding prefectural services, Lionnel Luca had also mentioned “Vichy-style practices in State services.”

A few days later, Laurent Hottiaux responded to these statements. The prefect of Alpes-Maritimes condemns the remarks made against State officials and expresses his support for the services mobilized on these issues. The terms used concerning “Vichy-style practices in State services” are deemed “unacceptable.”

The State representative recalls that Villeneuve-Loubet remains subject to the obligations of the SRU law, which requires certain municipalities to have 25% social housing. According to State services, the municipality has not met this target for several years. As of January 1, 2022, 1,474 social rental homes were missing to reach the threshold set by law.

For the 2023-2025 period, a recovery target of 487 social homes had been set. During these three years, 679 building permits were issued, including 653 for collective housing. In the same period, 34 social homes were approved.

Laurent Hottiaux also rejects accusations of “extortion.” The levies provided for by the SRU law are not paid to the State’s general budget. The funds finance aid for the construction of social housing. The prefect states: “There is therefore no ‘extortion’ by the State. Speaking of ‘extortion’ by the State is MISINFORMATION since the sums collected serve to support municipalities that commit to building social housing.”

A disagreement that also concerns the Villeneuve-Loubet coastline

The second point of disagreement concerns Marina Baie des Anges and the delimitation of the maritime public domain. At the municipal council, Lionnel Luca had denounced the State’s decision to incorporate the land occupied by several beach establishments into the maritime public domain, arguing that this measure penalized the operators.

The prefect responds that this procedure results from the natural evolution of the coastline. According to State services, coastal retreat reaches approximately 30 meters in forty years in certain sectors of Villeneuve-Loubet. Laurent Hottiaux also recalls that the municipality refused certain support mechanisms allowing it to benefit from adaptation measures and financing intended for communities facing coastal erosion.

The State representative finally emphasizes that the housing crisis is a priority in Alpes-Maritimes. A departmental housing recovery plan was presented on July 1. Housing Forums are also to be organized in autumn 2026 to continue discussions with municipalities and sector stakeholders.

Laurent Hottiaux concludes: “We are not building enough housing in general, but it is false to say we cannot build more housing in Alpes-Maritimes. Housing is a major issue for department residents and future generations. We must stop taking refuge behind constraints related to risks. The rules established by law are not a brake. They simply require us to show the will to build better.”

This position by the prefect comes a few days before his departure from the Alpes-Maritimes prefecture, where Laurent Hottiaux is to be replaced next week by Jean-Marie Girier, current prefect of Pyrénées-Atlantiques.