Montpellier aims to completely eradicate slums within the next decade
A bold and ambitious commitment has just been made in Montpellier: to eliminate all the city’s slums within ten years. To achieve this objective, an agreement was signed, uniting the prefecture of Hérault, the town hall of Montpellier, and the Foundation for Housing the Disadvantaged. This project, inspired by the success of the dismantling of the Celleneuve slum, is intended to be a model for improving the living conditions of hundreds of people currently living in extremely precarious conditions.
A Commitment Agreement for Rehousing
May 5, 2025 marks a turning point for Montpellier, with the signing of a essential convention between Michaël Delafosse, the mayor and president of the metropolis, François-Xavier Lauch, the Prefect of Hérault, and Sylvie Chamvoux of the Housing Foundation. This agreement aims to tackle the problem of slums head-on, by setting a ten-year horizon to completely eradicate them. According to this agreement, each family living in these conditions will receive special attention to be relocated in temporary infrastructure and, ultimately, in permanent housing.
The Inspiration of the Celleneuve Model
The Celleneuve slum, dismantled three years ago, serves as an example for the deployment of this strategy. There, the success was palpable; Through concerted efforts, families were relocated to temporary structures before finding more durable residence. This example shows the feasibility of such operations when carried out with rigor and determination.
The Transitional Housing Approach
A similar method will be implemented with the development of a former youth hostel located near the Verdanson quay. These places will serve as transitional housing allowing families to leave the slums while guaranteeing a temporary and acceptable roof. This is a crucial step before helping them ensure a transition to more sustainable housing adapted to their needs.
Slums Still Present in Montpellier
Despite the progress made, thirteen slums still exist in Montpellier, housing between 500 and 600 people. These individuals, often on the margins of society, live in precarious conditions which require rapid and effective intervention. The mobilization of the various stakeholders in the city already seems to show signs of hope for a rapid improvement in this worrying situation.
Concrete Initiatives in Progress
Among the initiatives put in place, the city of Montpellier does not just sign conventions. It also implements concrete projects for the future of its inhabitants. The expansion of the Halte Solidarité, a shelter for the homeless, demonstrates this ongoing effort. With 200 additional square meters made available by the diocese of Montpellier, more than 200 people find refuge and support there daily.
A Strong and Necessary Commitment
This ambitious project reflects the desire of local authorities to leave no one behind in the quest for dignity and respect for human rights. By joining forces, these different actors recall the importance of mutual aid and community work to bring about positive and lasting changes in society.