On Wednesday, August 2nd, 2023, the first temporary social housing project opened in Valenton. Originating from a partnership between the State, the City of Valenton, Eiffage through its new subsidiary Eiffage Immobilier Habitat Solidaire, and Adoma, this new shelter aims to provide vulnerable individuals and families, previously accommodated in hotel rooms, with real housing allowing for tailored social support.
Built off-site to minimise disruptions, this low-carbon housing solution is produced from end-of-life shipping containers. Over the course of six months, B3 Ecodesign – an Eiffage group company.
This three-level residence consists of 46 studios, 25 two-bedroom apartments, and 4 three-bedroom apartments. It can accommodate 160 individuals, whether they are alone or families seeking reintegration, offering them well-equipped accommodation options with kitchenettes and bathrooms.
For this operation, Eiffage Immobilier Habitat Solidaire has created an unprecedented arrangement using a dedicated real estate company called TectHome, under which modules are leased to Adoma through a seven-year temporary lease. The real-estate company will then be responsible for restoring the site and relocating the modules to another project, thanks to a permit of the same duration initiated by the City of Valenton.
“Starting with this first project, we have gained valuable expertise in administrative permits and the technical design of a relocatable project. The Valenton operation allows us to demonstrate that quality alternatives exist, with the support of municipalities and the State, to provide better living conditions, especially for emergency housing,” says Benjamin Pinaud, Director of Eiffage Immobilier Habitat Solidaire.
Integration and the fight against vulnerable living are fundamental pillars of this operation. Leasing agent Adoma also has 300m² of office space on-site for social support services.
The temporary housing centre in Valenton will also benefit from support by the CREPI (Club Régional des Entreprises pour l'Insertion) Ile-de-France social association, facilitating job placement for those housed, in partnership with corporate project stakeholders. This work will involve the Service Insertion et Accompagnement vers l’Emploi (SIAVE) employment support service, established by the City of Valenton in 2022, and the companies in the Bois Cerdon Business Park in which the residential unit is located.
Three other temporary housing projects are currently under development by Eiffage Immobilier Habitat Solidaire throughout France, with the goal of making real estate mobile.