The letter is rather scathing… On March 30, Paris Habitat sent a letter to JCDecaux. In this letter that we were able to consult, the social landlord of the City of Paris asks the French industrial group specializing in urban advertising to put back on the table for the most fragile tenants the 733,000 euros that it claimed from the landlord.
“Your company could devote these funds,” says Eric Pliez, president of Paris Habitat and mayor (DVG) of the 20th arrondissement, to supporting a solidarity project of a partner association of Paris Habitat as part of our missions to help the most vulnerable. by the crisis. “
During confinement, JCDecaux suspended part of its royalties on its own, arguing the pandemic, falls in income, canceled advertising campaigns and the unpredictable events clause …
“JCDecaux is not exactly a company that is crying out for famine”
Paris Habitat, rich in its Parisian land – buildings, parks, railings, walls, some overlooking the ring road – which brings it the tidy sum of 3 million euros annually, rents its locations, scrolling panels, signs to major advertisers. bright on the roofs …
On January 21, JCDecaux’s request for exemption set the Board of Directors (CA) on fire. “We almost fell out of our chair when we discovered that Paris Habitat was going to donate the € 733,000! is indignant Jean-Jacques Anding, elected to the CA and representing the tenants for the association of the CLCV (Consumption housing environment). It is double standards. JCDecaux is not exactly a company that is crying out for famine when, since the start of the pandemic, there have been families in low-cost housing who each month have to choose between feeding the family and paying the rent. “
“It got hot! confirms his side Jean-Baptiste Eyraud, the spokesperson for the DAL (Right to housing). JCDecaux is a large group that has solid backs and has, moreover, benefited from other state aid such as partial unemployment for its employees. ”
The elected officials reassembled
“I consider it shameful that these groups allow themselves to ask for this exemption,” protested Anne-Claire Boux, deputy (EELV) to the mayor of Paris in charge of city policy, joined by Colombe Brossel , deputy (PS) of Anne Hidalgo in charge of cleanliness.
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At Paris Habitat, Eric Pliez, its president, reframes things: “We had no reason to give gifts to JCDecaux but we had no choice. We looked at whether legally we could refuse, if it held up, but we took the risk of losing in the administrative tribunal. “He recalls that in this crisis, the lessor has shown solidarity:” We have released more than 20 million euros to protect small businesses, associations, by agreeing to exempt them from their rent. “And the lessor has put in place support measures for the most vulnerable tenants.
Can JCDecaux be forced to pay?
Jean-Baptiste Eyraud returns to the charge: “The JCDecaux case could be discussed. There was a loophole in which Paris Habitat could have been engulfed. JCDecaux continued to rotate panels during containment. “Eric Pliez puts it another way:” We have no guarantee that JCDecaux has ceased its activity. “
Still, the famous letter from Paris Habitat – sent Tuesday March 30 – has not yet arrived in Neuilly-sur-Seine (Hauts-de-Seine), on the office of the CEO of JCDecaux France. But his spokesperson cuts the controversy short: “We cannot comment on a letter that we have not yet received.”
“Anyway, sweeps Jean-Baptiste Eyraud, nothing says that JCDecaux will not send Paris Habitat for a walk!” “At Paris Habitat, Eric Pliez, who said he was” available with his teams to see the modalities “with JCDecaux, does not despair of the outcome:” Returning the 733,000 euros would be an elegant way for them. exit.”
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