They are the most famous faces of the representatives of tenants of the office HLM of Montluçon. Always ready to step up to the plate against rising rents and charges. Meeting with Philippe Denizot, Jacques Renault and Christian Peyrat.
Philippe Denizot: he is the boss
In more than forty years of unionism, the 60-year-old has forged a fine reputation for preventing people from going around in circles within the HLM office. Very aware of issues, divisive and go-getter, he often gives the feeling of being in systematic opposition.
His story with Montluçon Habitat began in 1978. A year earlier, he moved in with his wife in an HLM on the rue des Droits de l’Homme.
I was 20 years old. At that time, housing issues were passing over my head.
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“But there was a dynamic team and I became assistant treasurer of the association. Out of 144 homes, there were 101 members! “
The friendly organizes lotos, belote contests, Christmas parties … And when it comes to banging your fist on the table, it can count on its young activist. “In 1984, there was a great explanation to the board of directors and we had obtained the cancellation of the increase in charges,” he recalls.
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Administrator of Montluçon Habitat between 1986 and 2006, Philippe Denizot first worked with the communist municipality of Pierre Goldberg. He has fond memories of it. “There was consultation and the decisions gave rise to a friendly vote. But we had demands and we didn’t let that happen. With Paul Crespin [ancien président, N.D.L.R], we didn’t talk for a year and a half. ”
With the arrival of the right at the head of the city, Philippe Denizot very quickly switches to the opposition. “There was no way to discuss with Daniel Dugléry, he says. But we had excellent relations with André Maxime Gérinier [le vice-président de l’office, N.D.L.R]. »
At 64, he says he’s still just as motivated “even if I drink bottles”. “There is always in me this desire to defend tenants. “
Jacques Renault, the faithful lieutenant.
Everyone likes him in the HLM office. Aged 71, from Deneuille-les-Mines, the man is rather reserved and does not appreciate confrontation. Quite the opposite of Philippe Denizot.
He’s the bad guy and I’m the good guy.
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In 1974, Jacques Renault married and arrived in Commentry. In 1983, he joined the city council – he will serve two terms – then joined the local HLM office, the OPAC, as representative of the tenants. “It was very demanding at the time. The elected Communists and Socialists told me that I had to keep quiet a bit. I didn’t like it. “
Arrived in Montluçon in 1995, he immediately joined the Pierre-Leroux friendly. “The rents were not very expensive and we even had free water. Afterwards, we got the meters and we paid. ” Member of the board of directors of Montluçon Habitat since 2003, Jacques Renault believes that he has “fought a lot on charges”.
“With the office, we don’t always agree. It is even rare. We are trying to advance the cause of tenants. The septuagenarian appreciates the “friendly side” of the tenants association. “Here I am with my people. Even if sometimes I sleep badly, the struggle keeps it going. “
Christian Peyrat, the Parisian recruit
Aged 68, he was born in the city of Beaulieu-Droits de l’Homme, just one year after its construction. If Christian Peyrat is less known to tenants than Philippe Denizot and Jacques Renault, it is because he has spent a large part of his life in the Paris region.
“In Montluçon, my parents were activists within the tenants association. Their mission was to collect contributions, ”explains the man who lived in Maisons-Alfort until 2005.
“In the city, there were ten different communities. Fraternity is what struck me the most. I lived in a building of 140 apartments where there was a very good understanding. At the beginning, we were not really in the demand. Me, I did not really have the head with all that. “
With his friendly, Christian Peyrat is received several times by the mayor. It is a question of opposing the increase in charges, in particular heating costs.
We weren’t always heard, we had to shake things up a bit. What I appreciated was having the support of a majority of women.
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Back in Montluçon, he spent three years at Bien-Assis where he took part in the demonstrations against the demolition of 20, rue des Merles. Then, he returned to his land in the Beaulieu-Droits de l’Homme residence. “I wanted larger accommodation, I wanted to find the nostalgic side. “
Back on his land, he quickly joined Philippe Denizot and Jacques Renault. “To campaign” and oppose when necessary the leaders of Montluçon Habitat. “We do our work, they do theirs. “
Fabrice Redon
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