In France, there is a public housing sector that provides affordable housing for people with modest resources, based on a ceiling of income. To apply for social housing or a low-rental housing (HLM), you can usually go to your local town hall or city hall.
To request social housing, you must fill out a national form that will allow you to search in several municipalities. This search can be made with the HLM organizations in the department where you want to reside or with the town hall of the city where you want to live.
It is also possible to make a request directly online through the government website www.demande-logementsocial.gouv.fr.
Once you have registered your request, you will receive a unique registration number and an attestation of registration, but this does not guarantee that you will be assigned a social housing unit.
The allocation of social housing is decided by an allocation commission based on your income and social situation. The waiting time to obtain a housing unit varies greatly depending on the region, ranging from a few weeks to several years.
It is recommended that you apply for social housing as soon as possible, as the demand for social housing is high and waiting lists can be long. Keep in mind that you may also need to provide various supporting documents, such as proof of income, identity documents, and proof of residence, to complete your application.