Skip navigation

About France

History

The terrible housing conditions prevalent in the 19th century caused by overpopulation, exorbitant cost and unhealthy surroundings, led factory owners to develop real estate projects to improve the housing of their workers because they recognized that working conditions and housing conditions were interrelated. Various initiatives came about, including the housing estate in the 12th arrondissement built in 1867 by the Société co-opérative immobilière des ouvriers de Paris (Paris workers housing cooperative society), which is considered the ancestor of housing cooperatives. The unions made housing one of their major concerns.

The housing co-operative movement in France really took off in the early 20th century with the adoption of a set of legislative measures, including: the 1894 Siegfried Act, which paved the way for the emergence of HBMs [“Habitations à Bon Marché” meaning inexpensive housing], the 1906 Strauss Act, which specified the co-operatives intervention system, the 1908 Ribot Act, which introduced low-interest government loans to enable people to own HBM co-operatives, and lastly, the February 1921 Act that provided reduced-interest loans to co-operatives. The first HBM construction program was passed by Parliament in 1928 and before the Second World War, 10,000 co-operative housing units were built, mainly focused on access to “modest” ownership. The name ‘HBM’ was changed in 1951 to HLM, Habitations à Loyer Modéré, or rent-controlled housing.

The housing situation at the end of World War II was a disaster. Two co-operative approaches coexisted at the time. The Castors movement, which made it possible for people on a modest income to build their own houses under a non-HLM system based on individual efforts and community work during construction, built more than 12,100 housing units between 1948 and 1952. Parallel to this, the HBM (HLM) co-operatives were reactivated and an act was passed in 1947 to re-launch their development. The HBM co-operatives developed using the rent-to-own approach, which allowed gradual ownership of the property. The focus was on the construction of cottages, which were better suited to the lease-to-purchase formula, for example the “chalandonnette” initiative, named after the Minister of Housing of the period, Albin Chalandon, who introduced the policy for individual houses. Between 1950 and 1965, with 35-year 2% mortgages, 140 HLM co-operatives were established, representing some 130,000 units.

The co-operatives also developed rental projects, although in smaller numbers. Under this formula, the tenant-co-operative member subscribes to shares equivalent to at least 15% of the cost of the unit that give a transferable right to occupy the unit, along with monthly rent to cover operating expenses.

In addition to building, co-operatives administer solidarity savings funds to help co-op members experiencing problems, lend money from their own funds or in co-operation with financial institutions, and own and administer rental buildings.

Despite this development, the movement went through a very turbulent period. The philosophical differences between the left-leaning and Christian movements, the differences in the approaches, with greater urban development than rural, and a confrontation between the leaders, led to a schism. A second federation, the Fédération française, was established in 1953. The two federations, the French and the National, were reunified in 1963.

The authorities became increasingly concerned about the dual mission of building and managing HLM co-operatives. The desire to provide a better structure for the efforts of co-operatives, in order to protect them and co-op members led the government authorities to make three legislative changes that considerably diminished the ability of co-operatives to take action. The authorities wanted to introduce a financial and organisational framework to reduce the risk involved in the three forms of HLM co-operative development that were in existence, namely rent-to-own, co-op rental and straightforward rental.

The November 1965 decree therefore introduced major changes within the HLM co-operative movement, and caused a great deal of disappointment. The decree redefined co-operative rental and rent-to-own and reformed the share subscription system. It prohibited co-operatives from renting and required that the existing portfolio be assigned to HLM organisations. A total of 27,610 housing units were transferred in this way. Co-operatives were forced to specialize in property ownership. This was a major change because co-operatives had always tried to meet the needs of people seeking housing through a variety of different formulas.

The attack on the co-operative movement continued with the passage of what are generally called the “infamous” laws of July 1971. Both statutes took away from co-operatives the right to build on their own and forced them to use the services of a third party. Henceforth, the functions of builder and manager were separated into distinct legal entities. The rent-to-own co-operative societies (SCLA) had to convert into “Société coopérative de production” (SCP) if they wished to continue with development. Many gave up the co-operative structure which had become too burdensome with the new administrative and legislative changes and moved towards the establishment of corporations. Between 1972 and 1974, 50 rent-to-own co-operatives gave up their co-operative status to become HLMs organisations. Lastly; co-operative rentals were now prohibited, as ordinary rental had been several years earlier. Co-operatives had built and managed over 50,000 rental units between 1947 and 1971. It amounted to the breakup of the HLM co-operative movement, a fragmentation that was felt for more than a decade. During that period, non-HLM co-operatives that grew out of the Castors movement also ceased to exist because of a shortage of financial resources, except for four, which remain in operation.

In the years that followed, the movement continued to lobby for more flexible co-operative regulations. In 1983, the co-operatives gradually recovered all of the areas of jurisdiction they had lost in 1971. The HLM co-operatives established a monitoring system, called compulsory review, with which all HLM organisations had to comply after the passage of the Act in 1983.

The movement redefined itself and reaffirmed its objective to promote ownership for people with low-income. Rent-to-own, the approach that still applies today, was defined during this period and adopted under the July 12, 1984 Act. It was also during this period that the Federation of HLM co-operatives moved into the facilities of the HLM union (which it had co-founded in 1925), consisting of public offices, HLM housing corporations, real estate credit corporations and regional HLM associations.

The Dubesset report published in June 1989 reported that many co-operatives were experiencing serious difficulties that could jeopardize their very existence. Measures were to be taken as quickly as possible. A memorandum of understanding was signed between the Federation and the public authorities, which set out the commitments of the Federation with respect to providing support to co-operatives experiencing difficulties. The Cooperation Modernization Act, which was passed in 1992, and the 2000 Act on urban solidarity and renewal (SRU) established the HLM co-operatives as genuine stakeholders in housing in France. This legislation broadened their field of intervention and gave them jurisdiction akin to that of HLM offices and corporations. With the under-capitalization of co-operatives acknowledged to be an impediment to development, the HLM co-operative corporations are now open to associates who are not members of the co-ops. At the same time, the movement contributes to this modernization with some of its tools, such as the SDHC (corporation for the development of co-operative housing), which was established in 1980. Lastly, measures to secure access were put in place to protect the financial investments and homes of co-operative members.

Context

France is facing an unprecedented housing crisis with a shortage of 800,000 housing units. This shortage is the direct result of a decline in construction over many years, a result of the weakening of the welfare state which has allowed market forces to have free rein. Faced with rising production costs, tighter credit and higher interest rates, it is becoming increasingly difficult to develop affordable projects. Over 4 million people are looking for housing every year, 1.3 million of whom are seeking affordable housing. This housing crisis is affecting not only low-income households, but middle-income households as well. Fundamental needs are changing, demand is more heterogeneous and, as in many countries, France is undergoing deep economic and social mutations, including the growing number of wage earners working at the minimum wage.

Although just over a half of French people are owner occupants, 9 out of 10 French people aspire to private ownership. This aspiration has influenced the shape of development targeted by housing co-operatives in France, which is ownership.

The political issues that the HLM co-operative movement must face are the following:

  • The ability to produce housing of a high environmental standard at a cost that is compatible with the incomes of first-time buyers and.
  • The promotion of the co-operative status and the possibility of assisting co-op members over the long term through housing services.

In 2011, 102 HLM co-operatives built 3,348 housing units for social ownership, signed 907 construction contracts to build individual houses, began 1,201 rental social housing units, developed 282 building lots, and administered 38,000 units and 1,176 co-ownership associations.

Sixty per cent of the social housing developed each year for low-income household ownership is built by HLM co-operatives.

Description

HLM co-operatives are recognized in France as historic players in providing government-assisted access to ownership, the objective of which is to facilitate ownership for people on a low income who would not otherwise be able to own their own housing. They perform this role in three different ways:

  • Construction and sale of housing via government-supported access to ownership.
  • Construction and management of rental housing under HLM regulations.
  • Management of co-ownership associations.

There are three types of co-operatives in France:

The HLM production co-operative (SCP)

This is the oldest and most widespread form of housing co-operative in France. Membership in these co-operatives includes user members and co-operative employees, with these two groups jointly holding 51% of voting rights independently of their share capital. Membership also includes other non-user associates, whether individuals or companies, who can share between 35% and 49% of voting rights, on a basis that is prorated to share capital.

HLM collective interest co-operative (SCIC)

The SCIC, which was introduced under the 2003 Act to guide and program urban renovation in cities, is the most recent HLM cooperative structure in France. The organisation of its membership is different, and based on colleges of associates. The Act provides for three mandatory colleges: individual users, employees and public bodies. Each college must hold at least 10% but no more than 50% of the voting rights. The employees’ college has a ceiling of 15% of the voting rights. The co-operatives may establish other colleges.

HLM local law co-operatives

These co-operatives exercise the same powers as the HLM SCPs. There are only three corporations of this type in France, all of which are governed by the local law provisions in Alsace-Moselle. The different forms of HLM co-operatives share a number of characteristics, such as:

  • Adherence to and compliance with a code of ethics that establishes principles governing the operations of the HLM cooperative and its relationships with others.
  • Adherence to the charter for sustainable and solidarity long-term housing that requires co-operatives to introduce measures that demonstrate their “role as a local player in sustainable territorial development” (energy performance, environmental and citizen behaviour measures).
  • Mandatory financial contribution to a training fund for professionals and volunteer managers.
  • Under the control of management, the board of directors adopts a development plan and ensures that it is followed. The board consists of volunteer directors. For co-operatives with rental units, at least one board member is to be a tenant representative.
  • There is a ceiling on earnings from shares and reserves cannot be shared.
  • The co-operatives are managed by an executive director who can also perform the function of chairing the board of directors.
  • Membership is open to shareholders who are not members of the co-operatives (organisations) in order to increase capitalization. These shareholders’ voting rights are proportional to the share capital, but they remain in the minority (no more than 49% is allowed in HLM SCPs) within the cooperative. However, this minority status is often only virtual because the vote count at meetings is based on the members in attendance. Non-co-operative shareholders therefore often have a major influence on the business of the co-operative, particularly as they are there to ensure that their investment grows. Furthermore, the status of co-op members for very low cost ownership and rent-to-own projects is often temporary because people remain members of the co-operatives only for as long as it takes them to acquire ownership of their housing unit. Once the titles have been transferred, members withdraw their shares in the co-operatives and no longer participate in decisions (according to the policy established by the Council).
  • Participation in the self-monitoring system managed by the Federation, whose purpose is to optimize co-operative management and prevent problems. The system is based on three measures: the DIS, an individual status report establishing financial reports on an annual basis, an annual audit of all aspects of management systematically required of co-operatives that are experiencing problems and/or performed on request, and lastly, a mandatory review of the co-operative every five years, which consists of a financial, operational and organisational analysis.
  • Access to a set of security measures to protect the financial investments and homes of members in the event of problems such as a change in the composition of the household, or the need to move as a result of a change in work or a disability. The measures include resale insurance to cover any financial losses involved in the resale of the unit, a repurchase guarantee in which the co-operative agrees to buy back the unit at an agreed price and lastly, a relocation unit guarantee, either by remaining in the building or relocating. Resale insurance remains in force for a period of 10 years, whereas the buyback and relocation guarantees are maintained for a period of 15 years.

The regulations set the conditions under which HLM co-operatives design and market their government-supported housing:

  • They are intended primarily for low-income households purchasing their primary residence, and whose income does not exceed established ceilings.
  • They are sold at prices that do not exceed the price ceilings for each operation.
  • The purchasers receive support over time through the HLM safety net.

Added to this are the specific features of HLM co-operatives:

  • Prospective owners are also co-operative members: they become associates of the HLM co-operative and are asked to attend the general meetings.
  • The HLM co-operative may in certain instances also manage the co-ownership property and in doing so work together with the co-owners to ensure the long-term existence of the building.

Depending on the level of involvement by the local community in the implementation of the operation, the HLM co-operative may include in its sale contract clauses limiting speculation and abusive resale of housing units with a view to providing guarantees to the local community that the efforts it has made will not do anything to cause further price increases in the real estate market.

Financing

Tenants need to be distinguished from buyers:

  • For rental units, HLM co-operatives are financed by public funds (primarily the Livret A government guaranteed savings program), as are all HLM organisations.
  • For purchases, the co-operative members are financed by their banks through loans provided by the government (PAS loans, zero-interest loans). The “rent-to-buy government supported loan” (PSLA) deserves to be mentioned. It enables households without personal assets to acquire the housing unit they live in as tenants. Operations under this system consist of two phases. In the first phase, the housing unit is financed, as is the case for a straightforward rental operation, by an HLM operator. The households living in the unit pay an amount that consists of occupancy rent, management fees and savings (the “acquisition portion”). At the end of this first phase, the length of which may vary, the household is given the opportunity to opt for ownership status. This “old formula” contract is available for acquiring a new property or an old property.

The PSLA enables purchasers to have a reduced value-added tax of 5.5% instead of 19.6%.

HLM co-operatives also have access to the financial resources of the SDHC in the form of share capital or operational support.

Local communities can participate in the development of co-operatives by providing support measures such as:

  • Land at reduced cost.
  • Grants to reduce infrastructure costs.
  • Direct financial assistance to purchasers who are below the income ceiling.
  • Establish a social housing quota for all developments that exceed an established threshold.
  • Subscription of shares.

Co-operatives invest their shareholders’ equity in the development of their rental projects.

Legal framework

The legal instruments for the housing co-operative movement are:

  • The Code du commerce (commercial code) – as a corporation.
  • The September 10, 1947 Act on the status of co-operatives.
  • HLM legislation and regulations: construction and housing code.
  • Federal code of ethics.

The housing co-operative movement

HLM co-operatives are all under the HLM (FNSC-HLM) national federation of co-operative societies. The FNSC-HLM, which was established in 1908, represents HLM co-operatives at the political level and vis-à-vis social housing partners, in addition to promoting co-operatives, working towards the introduction of policies that promote the development of co-operatives, and providing development and operational assistance to co-operatives. In 2008, the movement adopted a new strategic development plan articulated around three objectives: “produce more, produce better and produce everywhere”.

The Federation is governed by a federal council of 28 members elected by the General Assembly and the six interregional districts. HLM co-operatives are member of a regional union. There are seven regional unions active across the country. These unions are financially independent and implement the objectives of the movement at the regional level. The regional unions are grouped within the six interregional districts, which designate 16 members to the federal council for a term of three years. The Federation also has an ethics committee that enforces the code of ethics adopted by the HLM co-operatives.

The FNSC-HLM has 165 member HLM co-operatives representing 23,000 social housing units, and which produce 5,000 new social housing units for ownership each year. There are 1,000 people working directly on behalf of the movement.

By becoming a member of the Federation, the co-operatives agree to comply with the self-monitoring system established by the Federation and to belong to A.RE.COOP, a training association. The co-operatives also agree to subscribe to the SDHC capital, a society assisting the development.

In order to properly carry out its mission, the Federation established the following structures:

The SDHC, the Société de développement de l’habitation coopérative, was established in 1980. It is an open-ended investment company whose mission is to support the development and facilitate the continued existence of co-operatives through share capital and/or governance support by sitting on the board of directors. The corporation acts as the guarantor vis-à-vis the other partners for strategic projects. The capital comes from contributions of the Federation’s members.

SICAV, an open-ended investment company, is a “financial co-op” established in 1995. It offers investment products to the co-operatives issued by the government or guaranteed by the government, whose yield is equivalent to market. Fifty percent of management fees required by the manager are paid into the SDHC.

A.RE.COOP, the association that reviews, assists and acts as guarantor for co-op corporations, was established in the early 80s. Its mission is to train co-operative employees and administrators, as well as to carry the mandatory co-operative review required as part of the self-monitoring system established by the Federation.

Videos

  • Update on France (June 2019)

Présentation PUCA

(Click the title to view the presentation)

For more information, visit: www.hlm.coop and www.habitat.coop (French only)

Housing Co-operatives in France – Peter Kirkham, Habicoop [2016]

Resources Tagged "France"

Resosurces images

Social, affordable and co-operative housing in Europe – Case studies

The Housing Agency of Ireland has compiled 44 case studies from Switzerland, Austria, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmark, that respond to the various challenges of providing adequate housing. Read More

Austria Report
Resosurces images

Habicoop – French Federation of Housing Co-operatives

Habicoop, who is it? The original association was created 12 years ago. It became the French Federation of Housing Cooperatives in 2015 and federates about twenty cooperatives. What's a housing cooperative? Its a group of people w ...Read More

Financing and Development France
Resosurces images

CLH Training – Governance in Community-Led Housing

This guidance is about good governance and the responsibilities of those who are charged with governing community-led housing organisations. It relates to G4 Basic Governance, L4 Excellence in Governance, and L5 Statutory, Legal, ...Read More

Governance Global Report
Resosurces images

Financing Co-operative and Mutual Housing

The Commission's final report on Cooperative and Mutual Housing (Bringing Democracy Home) highlighted the need for consideration of the role that cooperative and mutual housing could play in the national housing strategy. The Fina ...Read More

Financing and Development Global Report
Resosurces images

Logement abordable : profils de cinq villes métropolitaines

Par cette publication, nous souhaitons ouvrir le débat sur le logement en tant que droit fondamental et enjeu métropolitain, en mettant en lumière l’expérience de grandes métropoles et dans l’espoir d’inspirer des idées nouvelles pour aborder cet enjeu absolument fondamental de l’urbanisation moderne.Read More

Advocacy Global
Resosurces images

Towards the Localization of the Sustainable Development Goals

The Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments prepared a report showcasing how cities and regions are fostering alternative housing policies to support the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. With increased urbanization, ...Read More

Advocacy Global
Resosurces images

World Habitat Awards 2017 – Winners and Finalists

As part of our collaboration with urbaMonde, we would like to highlight this years World Habitat Awards.  They tell some fantastic stories of what has been achieved globally to create safe homes where people can live free from t ...Read More

Community Global
Resosurces images

Building Strong Development Cooperation: Partnership Opportunities between Cooperatives and the EU

In 2000, United Nations (UN) member states recognised the need to build global partnerships for development and the exchange of expertise as one of the Millennium Development Goals. Across the international development field, part ...Read More

Financing and Development Global
Resosurces images

Raising Capital: The Capital Conundrum for Co-operatives

New report: The Capital Conundrum for Co-operatives "The Capital Conundrum for Co-operatives", a new report released by the Alliance’s Blue Ribbon Commission explores ideas and options available to co-operatives that need suitab ...Read More

Financing and Development Global
Resosurces images

Sustainable Use of Forests: an Urgent Global Challenge

The unsustainable exploitation of our planet’s forests is a major contributor to global warming and threatens the future of humanity. Co-operative Housing International believes that the co-operative family has a role to play to prevent the ongoing degradation of the forests and is calling all co-operatives to support its Sustainable Management Forest Initiative.Read More

Sustainability Global
Resosurces images

Financing Housing Co-operatives in a Credit Crunch

Financing the development of housing co-operatives is a challenge and more so in time of financial restrictions and uncertainty.  CHI members discussed the issue during a seminar held in November 2009 in Geneva.  Presentations w ...Read More

Financing and Development Global
Resosurces images

What’s new in Sustainable Forest Management?

 The Forest Products Annual Market Review 2013 reports that the development of new refinement processes has led to the production of new and more affordable wood based products such as cross-laminated timber (CLT). The report sta ...Read More

Sustainability Global
Resosurces images

The Guidance Notes on the Co-operative Principles

Updated Guidance Notes on the Co-operative Principles, edited by David Rodgers, former President of Co-operative Housing InternationalRead More

Governance Global
Resosurces images

Promoting Cooperatives – International Labour Organization (ILO) Recommendation 193 on the Promotion of Cooperatives

The ILO views cooperatives as important in improving the living and working conditions of women and men globally as well as making essential infrastructure and services available even in areas neglected by the state and investor-driven enterprises. Cooperatives have a proven record of creating and sustaining employment – they provide over 100 million jobs today; they advance the ILO’s Global Employment Agenda and contribute to promoting decent work.Read More

Legal Global
Resosurces images

Profiles of a Movement: Co-operative Housing around the World – Volume One

This first volume includes the co-operative housing profile of 22 countries. This report presents the history and the current realities of co-operative housing around the world.  CHI is currently in the process of updating the ...Read More

Community Global
Resosurces images

The Cooperative Housing International Good Governance Test

The purpose of the Governance Test is to provide a means for housing co-ops affiliated with CHI to measure their standards of governance and to help them develop a good governance action plan to improve governance in weaker areas. ...Read More

Governance Global
Resosurces images

Students and Housing Cooperatives

Student housing cooperatives have become very popular in the USA and many of these housing co-operatives are members of organizations such as NASCO. Unlike a resident who acquires shares at market rates to earn the right to occupy ...Read More

Community Global
Resosurces images

Environment Sustainability and Climate Change Seminars

To further our commitment towards sustainable sources of timber and forest products and to provide co-operators more information on the certification programmes and successful sustainable initiatives, CHI organized a seminar on S ...Read More

Sustainability Global
Resosurces images

Housing Co-operatives and Climate Change

ICA members adopted a resolution at the 2007 General Assembly calling on the co-operative movement to do its share in combating climate changes. The resolution suggests three ways on how the co-op movement can act now: Measure and ...Read More

Sustainability Global
Resosurces images

Legal Frameworks for Housing Co-operatives: Seminars

As part of CHI's plan to map its activities to the International Co-operative Alliance's Blueprint for a Co-operative Decade, CHI held a seminar on one of the Blueprint elements:  Legal Frameworks for Housing Co-operatives. “Co ...Read More

Legal Global
Resosurces images

Good Governance Charter for Housing Co-operatives

 The Good Governance Charter for Housing Co-operatives was launched at the ICA Housing Plenary in Manchester in November 2012.It has three parts:A 10-point set of good governance practicesAn interpretive statement for each good p ...Read More

Governance Global
Resosurces images

Profiles of a Movement: Co-operative Housing around the World – Volume Two

Volume 2 of the Profiles of a Movement concentrates on the African continent. We are pleased to present the remarkable work achieved by the African co-operators, work accomplished in a very challenging environment. These profil ...Read More

Community Global
Resosurces images

Financing and Climate Change Seminars

Seminars about continued public sector investment in co-operative housing in Austria and Canada, innovative funding arrangements created by the co-operative housing sector in Italy and harnessing member investment through co-opera ...Read More

Financing and Development Global
Resosurces images

The Blueprint for a Co-operative Decade and its Special Application to the Housing Sector

The Blueprint for a Co-operative Decade is a worldwide campaign to “take the co-operative way of doing business to a new level”. The five key elements of the Blueprint are participation, sustainability, identity, legal frameworks and capital. The Blueprint is particularly relevant to co-operative housing and the Blueprint interpretation for co-operative housing below explains how.Read More

Governance Global
back to top