Article source: "'On m'expulse deux jours après mon examen' : l'inquiétude des étudiants chassés de leur logement pour les JO", Manon Mella, France Inter (Radio France), 27/03/2024.
Lucile and Honoré learned a few months ago that their student residence in the greater Paris region was to be requisitioned to house Olympic Games staff (medical staff, police officers, firefighters, and security guards). The two students decry what they see as a scandalous situation and a lack of consideration.
Their lease will end on 30 June, instead of the usual date of 31 August. "I'm getting evicted two days after my final exam, so I won't be ready to move out in time," says Honoré, a worried final-year architecture student. "We're one of the most vulnerable population groups,” adds Lucile. “When you're living in student accommodation, you don't have that much money, which is why so many of us work (…) over the summer break,” she says, explaining that she would have preferred to stay in her university residence rather than move back in with her parents.
The regional student welfare authority, the Crous claims that it will fully cover relocation costs, but only if the student is moved to another Crous residence, and only within the greater Paris (Ile-de-France) region. Students will also be offered cardboard boxes, tape and a place to store their belongings.
The Crous have also promised that all students will have access to the offer of relocation. But, with the Olympic Games only four months away, students admit that the uncertainty about what is going to happen has left them in a state of "stress and anxiety". They complain about a lack of communication and clarity.
"It's all still very vague"
Honoré also fears that students will be relocated to residences in poor condition. "Our building is only 4 years old (...) that's why it’s being requisitioned,” he explains. The Crous promises that all students will be able to return to their original accommodation in September, provided they are readmitted to university.
A survey has been put in place to assess the needs of each student. To date, the Crous has received over 2300 replies, with 1448 requests for new accommodation during the summer in an alternative Crous residence. "Apparently, they're supposed to call each and every one of us to ask what we want to do (...) but it's all still very vague," says Lucile.
"Why is this on us?"
Students affected by the requisitions will each receive 100 euros in compensation and two free tickets to an Olympic event. Honoré and Lucile are none too pleased with the offer. "Throwing 100 euros in our face and giving us two tickets for the Games isn't going to cut it! Sure, we're happy about the Olympics, but why is this on us?" she says.
The French Defender of Rights Claire Hédon declared on Monday 29 January that she had taken up the issue of requisitioned student accommodation and the evacuation of homeless people in the run-up to the Olympics on her own initiative. The goal, she said, was to find out "what the reality is for students, when they are being asked to leave their accommodation, whether they are being offered new housing, etc.,” bearing in mind that, “they have internships and student jobs over the summer".
Translated by Charlie Juet, Cécile Lamhene and Zoé Vilers.
Editing by Sam Trainor.