A stone’s throw from Place Masséna, eight apartments are being offered under a real solidarity lease. This arrangement allows low-income households to access property at a reduced price while remaining tenants of the land.
Côte d’Azur Habitat and VINCI Immobilier announced this morning the delivery of eight housing units under a real solidarity lease (BRS) in the Villa Candide residence. Located in the center of Nice, in the immediate vicinity of Place Masséna, the operation marks a first for the public housing office, which had not yet experimented with this method of social access.
The BRS is based on a simple principle. Households become owners of the dwelling, but not of the land. The land remains the property of the Land Trust Organization (OFS), which manages it. Buyers sign a long-term lease, renewable, and pay a modest fee in return. This mechanism allows reducing the purchase price and keeping the properties within the realm of social access.
The apartments offered range from studio to three-bedroom units. They are located in a new building that echoes traditional Niçoise architecture: colorful facades, wrought iron balconies, and energy performance in line with current standards.
Responding to real estate pressure
In Nice, the real estate market remains very tight, especially in central districts. The cost of land makes access to property difficult for many households. With this scheme, selling prices are announced to be 30% to 50% below the open market. The initiative primarily targets first-time buyers and low-income families.
For Côte d’Azur Habitat, this project complements its historical action in social rental housing. The organization currently manages over 21,000 housing units in the Alpes-Maritimes and seeks to expand its missions into the realm of ownership. The objective is to meet the aspirations of some tenants who wish to become homeowners without leaving the city’s heart.
VINCI Immobilier, on its side, integrates this collaboration into its strategy for promoting more accessible urban models. The company intends to multiply projects incorporating social and environmental dimensions, in partnership with local authorities.
An institutional partnership
The Villa Candide project was carried out with the support of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis and the city of Nice. It illustrates a mode of cooperation between a public landlord and a private developer to develop an offer adapted to local realities.
According to the president of Côte d’Azur Habitat, the operation responds to a strong demand. It allows families to settle in a heritage-rich and well-served district, whereas they would have had difficulty doing so through the traditional market.
The project confirms the interest of the real solidarity lease as a regulatory tool. By separating the land from the building, it prevents speculation and ensures that housing remains accessible to future generations.
An approach set to expand
The experience of Villa Candide could pave the way for other similar programs in the region. The BRS, still not widely known, is considered a lever to diversify the housing offer and limit residential exclusion in tight areas.
If the scheme is appealing, it will still need to establish its pace. Success will depend on the volume of housing produced and buyers’ acceptance of this particular model, which involves a form of co-ownership with the OFS.
In Nice, this first operation is part of a search for solutions in the face of rising prices. It illustrates the willingness of local actors to combine urban heritage with social innovation by placing affordable access at the core of priorities.
