08-02-08

CECODHAS French member Union Sociale pour l'Habitat (USH) continues its campaign on Livret A: the federation presented its view and proposals to the Finance Commission of the French National Assembly on February 6. 
Together with a number of stakeholders, which include local community associations, members of parliament, HLM organisations and of their regional federations, and associations of tenants and users- USH expressed their concern about the risks linked to modifying the Livret A system, and signed a common declaration, which calls on the French President and Government not to take decisions on the reform of Livret A carelessly, without a proper debate and consultation.

USH and its partners in the campaign believe that the current system, which has so far proved efficient and strong, should not be modified unless strictly necessary. This tax-free savings product is centralised by the Caisse de Depots which allocates loans, guaranteed by the State, to social housing organisations. The government, after initially presenting recourse against the European Commission's request to open up Livret A distribution, announced in December its will to reform the system as soon as possible. The reform will modify the financial remuneration of Livret A, its distribution, centralisation and management. This could have a dramatic impact on the social housing sector, which is already under pressure to increase the production of social dwellings.

Please, find more information on USH action on the reform of Livret A here