Territorial cohesion
France/Bilateral
Proposed legislation to facilitate access to housing for public service workers: a major challenge for border regions
September 2025
On April 17, 2025, Member of Parliament David Amiel introduced a bill to "improve access to housing for public sector workers," with the government initiating an expedited procedure on May 30. In border regions, particularly along the Franco-Swiss border, the flow of cross-border workers and disparities in employment and housing complicate the recruitment and retention of public sector employees. Local authorities are calling for tools to better manage this situation.
Two key measures directly concern these areas:
- Article 1, paragraph 2: the allocation of low-rent housing may be linked to employment. If the employee leaves, the housing returns to the market, easing tensions on the French side.
- Article 2 bis: local authorities may reserve social housing for public servants whose main activity is within their territory, even if they do not reside there, with a compensatory right on the State’s quota.
This law would provide border communities with a concrete tool to secure the recruitment and retention of personnel in professions under pressure.
KEY DOCUMENTS/WEBSITES
Please note!
The MOT is actively working on these issues, notably through a study it is currently conducting with Annemasse Agglo on land use, and through its working group on professions under pressure in border areas.
