Due to a lack of available land for building, Nice could gain nearly 8,000 housing units by adding one or two floors to existing buildings, according to a study by the Upfactor company presented Monday by the town hall.
The subject is crucial Nice, one of the most expensive cities in France, where the rental stock is limited by the rise of seasonal rentals and second homes, and which only has 14% of social housing while 21% of residents live below the poverty line.
The study identified 5,000 buildings likely to be raised and isolated among them at least 500 potential projects: close to transport, suffering from high heat loss and offering at least 400 m2 more without modifying the urban landscape.
These are buildings belonging to social landlords, which could gain 2,000 housing units, private co-ownerships (3,750 potential housing units) or public buildings (2,000 potential housing units).
For social housing, discussions are underway with landlords and a pilot project must be presented at the beginning of 2024.
For public buildings, the mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi (Horizons) was delighted with this potential resource, while considering that the elevation should above all be used to expand a school or create a dojo above a gymnasium rather than there. build housing.
As for private co-ownerships, it will be up to each party to assess the interest and feasibility of the approach. It is not imposed, it is possible, insisted Mr. Estrosi, insisting on the fact that this elevation could finance the necessary thermal renovation work.
In the shorter term, Mr. Estrosi declared himself in favor of a form of rent control, a measure undertaken in several large cities (Paris, Lyon, Lille, etc.) but which he was opposed until now in the name of respect of private property.
It doesn’t have to be a sudden decision. We are working on the precise rules to be put in place following a dialogue with the stakeholders concerned, explained the mayor.