HLM: request for social housing, file and ceiling

Are you looking for social housing to rent? But don’t you know the steps to benefit from an HLM (moderate rent housing)? Here is the resource ceiling not to be exceeded in 2025, the conditions and steps to follow to build your file and apply for HLM housing.

What is a HLM?

Moderate rent home: definition and origin

A moderate rent housing (HLM) is a housing built with thestate aid and managed by a public or private organizationwhich benefits from partial public funding. This type of social housing originated at the end of the 19th century with the creation of Cheap dwellings (HBM) In 1894, under the leadership of the SIEGFRIED law. The laws of March 30 and September 3, 1947 define the new operating methods of HBM, in particular in the rental sector. From 1950, the law evolved and the HBM took the name of “moderate rent homes” (HLM). This transformation is accompanied by a massive acceleration of the Construction of social housing To meet the needs of modest households, in particular with the call of Father Pierre in 1954.

HLM number in France

According to the Ministry of Regional Planning, in January 2024, the HLM represent approximately 15.9% of the main residences in France, that is 5.4 million dwellings. The average rent on January 1, 2024 amounts to 6.52 euros/m². Construction, management and access to HLM are subject to rules set by the State.

What laws supervise this type of social housing?

On the legal level, there is no single single law regulating HLM. The access conditions are defined by the construction and housing code. The leases on low-cost housing are inspired by the provisions of law n ° 89-462 of July 6, 1989 (without this law being entirely and directly applicable). But also those of the law of 1948, very favorable to the tenant since it establishes for the latter the benefit of the right to maintenance in the premises. Finally, decree n ° 87-712 of August 26, 1987, relating to rental repairs, applies to rentals relating to low-cost housing.

What are the 3 types of HLM social housing?

There are several categories of social housing. They are defined by the funding mode granted for their construction. The three most common types of loan are: the rental loan of integration, the rental rental for social use, the social rental loan. They give rise to an agreement supervising the allocation of these dwellings (for example, implementation of a ceiling of rents and resources).

Plai

The rental loan helped integration (PLAI) finances the acquisition or construction of moderate rent housing reserved for households with very modest income. Its amount is set according to the provisional financing plan.

MORE

The rental rental for social use (more) is the most used system in the financing of HLM housing. Like the plai, it opens the right to a state subsidy. Its objective is the social mix within HLM.

Pls

The forecast financing plan (PLS) finances rental housing located in areas where the real estate market is tense. It is intended for tenants with too high incomes who cannot benefit from an HLM, nor stay in the private sector. It does not open up to a state subsidy. However, it allows you to benefit from VAT with reduced rate.

What are the conditions for obtaining social housing?

Nationality

A moderate rent home is granted according to several criteria. We find all of these elements in articles L.441 and following of the construction and housing code. First of all, the applicant must be either of French nationality, or benefit from a regular residence permit in France.

Income and family situation

Then, it is mainly a question of its resources: there is a ceiling not to be exceeded in order to be able to apply. This ceiling depends on the Location of housing (Île-de-France, Province or Overseas) and the family situation of the applicant. The resources taken into account for the Ceiling calculation correspond to the reference tax income of year N-2, as mentioned on the tax notice. Please note, it is the income of all people living in the home that must be recorded. We therefore take into account the spouse, the partner of PACS, children and dependents.

Note : The roommate should not be taken into account in the people of the household.

Current heritage and housing conditions

Are also taken into account in the housing file: the applicant’s assets and its current housing conditions (distance from the workplace, employment opportunities).

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How do I know if I am eligible for social housing?

The government provides citizens with an online simulator to find out their eligibility for an HLM. Just indicate:

What is the resource ceiling not to be exceeded to benefit from an HLM in 2025?

Income taken into account

Annual income of people wishing to benefit from an HLM must not exceed a certain amount. For a Housing request made in 2025the reference tax income of 2023, registered on the 2024 tax notice, are those taken into account. Here are the ceilings applicable since January 1, 2025.

Overcoming ceilings

Each year, HLM beneficiaries must respond to a “resource survey” and provide their taxation or non-taxation notice. If their resources exceed the maximum threshold by more than 20%, they may have to pay an additional rent. If the overtaking persists for more than two years, the lease can be terminated in the tense areas.

Who are the priority for a request for social housing?

Certain categories of people have priority to grant a moderate rent home. Among them, we will note above all:

• beneficiaries of a DALO decision (right to enforceable housing);
• people with disabilities or paying for a disabled person;
• poorly housed people,
• disadvantaged people,
• people in social reintegration,
• people without housing,
• Persons accommodated in a precarious and provisional basis (unworthy habitat);
• people victims of prostitution,
• people victims of domestic violence,
• People threatened with expulsion and without a rehousing solution.

How to apply for HLM housing?

Constitute a social housing file

The request for social housing implies constituting an online file, on the site of the Social Union of Housing. The user must provide several information, among others:

• where you want to live (8 cities maximum),
• the number of people in the accommodation,
• the amount of his taxable income for the past two years,
• The amount of current income (wages, allowances, pension).

The demand can also be made in a registration window near home. On site, the applicant must fill out a CERFA form n ° 14069*03. It can be removed on request or downloaded and printed upstream on the internet. The approach is entirely free.

Supporting documents to provide

In this case, must be joined mainly:

• a copy of an identity document and if the valid residence permit,
• The applicant’s income support documents and people making up the home.

File the file

The social housing dossier is then filed with a social landlord organization or to a state public service.

Consult the progress of his file using his unique number

A unique regional number (NUR) for recording the request is provided to the candidate who must keep it preciously. The latter will allow him to consult the progress of his file. If a housing is allocated, the applicant has 10 days to accept or decline the offer.

Good to know: A request for HLM housing which has not ended favorably at the end of a period of 11 months must be renewed. Otherwise, the request will be deleted.

How to renew your social housing request in 2025?

Users whose HLM request has not succeeded must renew it each year between the 10ᵉ and the 12ᵉ months from the date of creation of the first request. In order to continue to access the accommodation offers, it is advisable to:

• Connect to your account on request-logement-social.gouv.fr,
• Go to “Manage my request”, then “Update my request”, then “Annual income”,
• indicate the reference tax income,
• Download the tax notice.

How long to obtain social housing?

Impossible to give an exact duration. It all depends on applicant profilefrom his family situation, of the type of housing sought and the town where he is. In Île-de-France and in large cities, for example, the allocation period is longer.

When a accommodation is available, the lessor selects three files on the basis of the aforementioned criteria. He then submits them to the study to the Housing Award Commission (CAL). She then studies each file and attributes the HLM on the basis of the same Priority criteria. The decision must be made by majority. The lessor contacts the selected applicant and asks him to complete his file. The latter is entitled to accept or refuse the proposal.

How to find accommodation available for purchase or rental?

Create an account on the Al’In platform

After making his HLM request, the user can create an account on Al’In. He must provide his unique social housing request for all of his information is transmitted. This platform is dedicated to employees of a private company with more than 10 people, employees of an agricultural company with more than 50 people and priority. It allows you to consult offers social housing, apply and send your file directly to the social landlord.

Create an account on BIENVEO

The Social Union for Housing (USH) provides applicants with a tool to buy or rent social housing, Bienveo. It allows people to apply for an offer and thus be active in the allocation of accommodation. Just check your eligibility and create an online account,

Reply

After selecting an offer, the applicant can contact the HLM organization directly. The latter contacted him after having read his request.

Is it possible to buy an HLM?

The tenant of an HLM can buy his social housing under certain conditions:

• Live it for at least two years
• have income not exceeding a certain amount

To be purchased, the HLM must:

• comply with habitability and energy performance standards
• have been purchased or built by a social landlord for over 10 years