This is data that should be of particular interest to candidates in the next municipal elections. According to the Odoxa-Nexity housing barometer for BFM and Capital*, the third version of which has just been revealed in February, 71% of voters say that the proposals of aspiring mayors on the question of housing will be of particular importance when voting. A proportion in line with the fact that 7 out of 10 French people (69%) believe that access to housing in their municipality is difficult.
This figure increases among residents of the Paris region (78%) and tenants (80%). A development which can be explained by the 15% drop in rental supply in France over the past five years and the non-compliance with rent controls for a third of the advertisements in the capital (29%). according to a study by the National Association for the Defense of Consumers and Users, Consumption, Housing and Living Environment (CLCV), dating from last year.
More housing, more supervision
It is for these reasons that, here again, just over 7 out of 10 French people (72%) surveyed want their city to increase the share of available housingwhether through the renovation of old buildings or the construction of new homes. An opinion which rises to 85% among tenants but also among young people, barely falling to 79% for residents of large cities. Enough to undermine the well-known adage “builder mayor, beaten mayor”.
Regarding rent control, same dynamic. If 71% of those questioned declared themselves in favor of this system supposed to guarantee lower and stable prices, this proportion rises to 81% among tenants. Surprising fact to say the least: two thirds of owners (66%) consider rent control to be a good thing. To access housing, the French are ready to turn to several systems.
The real solidarity lease and the Jeanbrun system, two solutions in response to the lack of housing
And one of them is the joint real lease. Permanently established in 2017, this mechanism, accessible subject to income conditions, allows you to acquire housing, the built part more precisely, at an unbeatable price, around 25% less on average. In return, you must rent the land, the undeveloped part, to the Solidarity Land Organization which gives you a very reduced price for a lease of between 18 years and 99 years. The decision of a lifetime which seems a good solution for two thirds of those questioned (67%), 38% of them possibly interested. A percentage which rises to 49% among residents of the Paris region and 57% among tenants wishing to buy property!
Another device, this time more recent, is catching the eye of the French: the new status of the private landlord, adopted in the 2026 budget, and more commonly called Jeanbrun devicenamed after the delegate minister responsible for Housing. Its objective: to revive private rental investment by allowing a tax reduction for new owners on rents in the first years. Three quarters of those questioned (73%) believe that it is a good idea in order to boost the number of homes available for rental. As for possible use, the proportions are similar to that of the real joint lease: 35% say they are interested, share which rises to 53% among tenants wishing to become owners. It remains to be seen whether this translates into reality.
*Survey carried out on February 4 and 5, 2026 among a sample of 1,005 French people representative of the French population aged 18 and over.
