Homeless can sue if not housed

HOMELESS people who are not helped to find accommodation can take the government to court from today.

Individuals, or families who meet “priority” criteria, can start procedures to obtain accommodation or temporary shelter as the second part of homelessness law “Loi Dalo” comes into force.

Since January 1, the first part of the Dalo law has made housing a legal right.

Today’s change means that if no solution is proposed to priority people they can take the matter to court.

In areas with very high pressure on housing local prefects have six months to find solutions, in others three.

The courts will be able to fine the state, with the money going to a fund for building social housing.

The Dalo measures do not just apply to people sleeping rough, but also, for example, to those facing eviction, in temporary accommodation or staying in someone else’s home, or people who lived in overcrowded or “indecent” housing.

The Loi Dalo was a reaction to the public outcry that followed encampments in Paris in the winter of 2006 – 2007 by the Enfants de Don Quichotte. The charity was one of two fined a total of €12,000 last week for their actions.

According to Housing Minister Christine Boutin, 50,600 demands for housing have been submitted under the Loi Dalo this year, of which 32,000 concern the Ile-de-France. Of these, 13,200 have had a favourable response but just 3,300 of the applicants have actually been offered shelter or housing.

A special bus, equipped with information about the legal changes, has been touring France, organised by Fondation Abbé Pierre, Secours Catholique and Enfants de Don Quichotte.

Photo:istock.com/damircudic