The finding
The housing in the center of Thionville aligns several weak points: dilapidated housing, difficult access, ergonomics from another era, poor insulation… The consequences are multiple; the obvious one is the vacancy rate. In other words, the number of dwellings unoccupied for more than two years, which gives its little air of ghost town in certain specific points, on the pedestrian plateau in particular. Things are changing, investors are coming back to town, but the situation could be better. It is moreover with the aim of regaining the inhabitants in the city that the City is focusing part of its policy.
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In numbers…
In 2016, INSEE estimated the number of vacant housing units for the entire town at 700. In 2019-2020, the Calm (Center for the improvement of housing in Moselle) carried out a more precise survey, almost door to door. In the end, the Clam counts 350 empty dwellings across the entire town hall. A quarter of them are located in the center. By refining things even further, the Calm project managers found 92 vacant accommodation for over two years in the hypercentre. “In the majority of cases, it appears that the owners are in the financial incapacity to finance the work”, indicates Philippe François, for Calm 57. This is enough for the municipality and the Portes de France agglomeration to consider incentives to help homeowners renovate their property.
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The meaning of an OPAH
On the basis of these data, the agglomeration decided to set up a Programmed Operation for the Improvement of Housing (OPAH) urban renewal. This system provides free support (technical, legal, administrative) and grants to help renovate your property. Calm technicians are the interlocutors. The following are concerned: owner-occupants with modest incomes; private owners wishing to rent their property (with capped rents); so-called fragile condominiums.
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Priority works
The priority of this OPAH is to remedy fuel poverty. It is therefore the insulation of facades, roofs, and the replacement of doors and windows that will primarily receive financial support.
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The provision of sanitary facilities suitable for home support for the elderly is also eligible. Each file being different, it is impossible to give here the expected level of subsidy. “It’s on a case-by-case basis,” confirms Calm. In addition, the City of Thionville will submit for the approval of the next municipal council a specific aid for the renovation of the facade as well as a bonus for leaving the vacancy. To be continued.
Calm, tel. 03 87 75 32 28. Hotlines by appointment on 2e and 4e Tuesdays of the month.
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