Finding affordable housing is a growing challenge, especially for young families starting their homeownership journey. In this context, the Cergy-Pontoise Agglomeration, as part of its Local Housing Program 2023-2028, is committed to improving housing access. The goal is to plan the construction of approximately 200 such housing units per year by 2028, utilizing schemes like the social rental-purchase loan and the Bail Réel Solidaire (BRS).
The Bail Réel Solidaire (BRS) is a state-regulated property ownership scheme. It reduces purchase costs by separating the ownership of the dwelling from the ownership of the land. The buyer acquires only the building, while the land is held by a Solidarity Land Trust (OFS). This separation allows for savings of 20 to 30% compared to traditional homeownership. In return, a low monthly fee is paid to the OFS. The scheme also includes 'HLM security,' offering the possibility of relocation to social housing under income ceilings for 15 years in case of difficulties.
In Cergy-le-Haut, on the border with Courdimanche, a new real estate project, « Résidence Epopée », is currently being marketed. Following the « Résidence Sillage », this new development plans to deliver 130 homes, including 25 under BRS. Delivery is scheduled for 2029. The developer is Polycités, the BRS operator is Logipostel, and the OFS owning the land is Coop Foncière.
To benefit from BRS, buyers' incomes must be below the social housing accession income ceilings (Zone A). The scheme is compatible with the zero-interest loan (PTZ). Resale is regulated to ensure the initial social purpose of the operation is maintained: to help households access property ownership! The resale price is capped at the initial price, updated according to the construction cost index. The OFS verifies the eligibility and solvency of new buyers.
