The public housing office Habitalys is now based in Villeneuve-sur-Lot. Investment and social housing offers have increased in recent years in the bastide and especially in the heart of the city. The organization is now carrying out large-scale renovations, transforming abandoned land or unoccupied buildings. This Saturday, September 14, on the occasion of a dedicated day, Habitalys led a guided tour, in the presence of its president Thomas Bouyssonnie, through current and future real estate projects.
The first highly symbolic renovation, that of its reception, located on the left bank, on rue de Penne. The place, with the warm colors of the existing wood, now displays its offers of apartments and also houses for rent or ownership. The inauguration was an opportunity for the president to recall the financial difficulties that social housing offices in France are currently experiencing, due to a combination of factors, to the “government policy which, since 2018, has made savings in the sector with, for Habitalys, a levy of 1 million euros per year, explains Thomas Bouyssonie. VAT increased from 5.5 to 10%, but also a cost increased by 30% on all real estate projects. »
On the old clinic
Despite an unfavorable economic situation, the social office has acquired land in the bastide in recent years, the most important of which was undoubtedly the former Sainte-Thérèse clinic. Today the project is coming to an end: “It is what we are most proud of in the bastide,” explains Thomas Bouyssonnie. The residence consisting of 19 housing units between T1 and T4 was the first to emerge from the ground. Opposite, in the old historic buildings, three single-family homes are also rented. In the old park, Habitalys has built six semi-detached houses with gardens. They have all found tenants.
Habitalys has also renovated another part of the clinic to create a specific habitat for people in reintegration, consisting of six bedrooms, a shared living room, dining room and kitchen and an office for the educator. The building should be invested by the end of September.
The last step to finally fill the former clinic site is the sale of six single-family homes outside the project.
Construction in progress
Next to the Lakanal hall, in the former Gourc fish market, the construction site of the future youth workers’ center is still underway. “We wanted to keep the stone facade. But the interior was completely destroyed.” A metal walkway will serve the different parts of the building, which will rotate around a patio. Delivery is scheduled for the end of the second half of 2025. Other projects are more discreet, such as a residence on rue Port-de-Gajac, with five apartments from T2 to T5, located in the old building of the Abbé Pierre Foundation. They should be available for rental in 2025.
We currently have more than 2,500 pending cases in the department”
Finally, on rue de Penne is the latest acquisition of Habitalys, which has just obtained a building permit. It is a group of buildings that the social landlord will renovate to offer eight rental units, from T1 to T3. “Some will have access to a terrace or balcony overlooking an interior patio,” specifies the president of the office. On the ground floor we keep the commercial space of 165 m2. »
Many projects are designed to meet the growing demand in Lot-et-Garonne, while the rental or property market has become tense: “While our demand is increasing, our tenants are no longer leaving. We currently have more than 2,500 pending cases in the department,” Thomas Bouyssonnie pointed out.
In Villeneuve-sur-Lot, the typical tenant of Habitalys homes is a single person (53.8%), retired (27%) and over 65 years old (38.7%).