France - 2012
Are there positive initiatives with an impact on housing of migrant and minority groups?
- Code:
- RED74
- Key Area:
- Housing & Segregation
- Strand(s):
- Equality
Short Answer |
Yes |
Qualitative Info |
A local political initiative deserves to be mentioned, despite its geograhical limitations. The mayor of the town of Villeurbanne commissioned a test at the Center for Urban Development Observation and Research, in partnership with private landlords, as part of a local plan to fight discrimination in housing. Over 6 months, 4 testers responded to 100 housing advertisements, 50 through housing agencies and 50 through private owners. The survey showed clear discrimination based on origin: in 57% of cases, candidates of North African origin were disadvantaged compared to French-origin candidates, only 39% of cases show equal treatment. In some neighbourhoods, people of North African origin had their offers to rent housing rejected 9 times out of 10. The results of the test were presented to housing agencies, providing what the mayor of Villeurbanne hoped would be an "educational perspective". A grouping of socialist parties of the National Assembly introduced a bill on 15 December 2010 to "bring an end to the unequal treatment of Travellers". The bill proposes abolishing the Law of 3 January 1969 which requires Travellers to hold a vehicle circulation permit which must be presented to the police each year (reduced to 3 months if it is of the type issued to those receiving no regular income). The law also stipulates that the number of persons holding such permits can not exceed 3% of the town population. This article reduces the possibility of travellers taking up a permanent residence. This bill to repeal the law was rejected in February 2011 by 289 votes to 207. Three months later, Didier Quentin MP (Presidential majority), presented an information report on Travellers to the National Assembly. The report states that Travellers tend to settle in one place. A result of this finding has been 15 proposals to encourage mayors to built reception areas that the Law of 5 July 2000 made compulsory, in particular by including these structures in the social housing quotas that municipalities must meet. |
Initiatives | |
Groups affected/interested | Migrants |
Type (R/D) | Anti-migrant/xenophobia |
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas | Housing |
External Url | http://www.lyoncapitale.fr/journal/univers/Actualite/Social/Villeurbanne-lance-un-testing-immobilier; http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do;jsessionid=6BD6497595CF80AADD7EF9F34AE1775C.tpdjo12v_2?cidTexte=LEGITEXT000005629609&dateTexte=20120104 |
Situation(s) |
|
Library |
|
Short Answer |
Yes |
Qualitative Info |
A grouping of socialist parties of the National Assembly introduced a bill on 15 December 2010 to "bring an end to the unequal treatment of Travellers". The bill proposes abolishing the Law of 3 January 1969 which requires Travellers to hold a vehicle circulation permit which must be presented to the police each year (reduced to 3 months if it is of the type issued to those receiving no regular income). The law also stipulates that the number of persons holding such permits can not exceed 3% of the town population. This article reduces the possibility of travellers taking up a permanent residence. This bill to repeal the law was rejected in February 2011 by 289 votes to 207. Three months later, Didier Quentin MP (Presidential majority), presented an information report on Travellers to the National Assembly. The report states that Travellers tend to settle in one place. A result of this finding has been 15 proposals to encourage mayors to built reception areas that the Law of 5 July 2000 made compulsory, in particular by including these structures in the social housing quotas that municipalities must meet.
On October 5, 2012 the Constitutional Council examined this 1969 Law on the regime applicable to persons traveling in France without a fixed domicile or residence for more than six months who must hold specific papers for circulation. According to the Council, this restriction is justified by the need to protect public order and is proportionate to that aim. But the difference in treatment based on the criteria of regular resources of these people was declared unconstitutional as the requirement of the justifications of uninterrupted attachment in the same town in order to be put on the voters list.
Source:
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Initiatives | |
Groups affected/interested | Migrants |
Type (R/D) | Anti-migrant/xenophobia |
Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas | Housing |
External Url | http://www.lyoncapitale.fr/journal/univers/Actualite/Social/Villeurbanne-lance-un-testing-immobilier; http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do;jsessionid=6BD6497595CF80AADD7EF9F34AE1775C.tpdjo12v_2?cidTexte=LEGITEXT000005629609&dateTexte=20120104 |
Situation(s) |
|
Library |
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