Subsidized housing in southern provinces available after ten years of residence: “anti-social” measure by the president

New Caledonian Real Estate has 11,000 households, or nearly 27,000 tenants, and houses nearly one in ten Caledonians. However, the outlook looks very bleak for the country’s main social landlord. It is possible that it will stop paying from the first half of 2025.

Three months into the crisis, the share of unpaid rent reached 52%, and continued to rise in August. However, its economic model is essentially based on paying rent.

Add to that the vacant housing stock. Before the riots, they made up 14 percent of the park’s area, but now it’s 16 percent. That could jeopardize the company’s economic model.

The situation is critical.

Petelo Sao, Chairman of SIC

Despite the size of the outstanding debt since the unrest began, “There is no eviction of Sic tenants”assured the chairman of the board. But Petelo Sao confirmed ‘Critical situation’ for commercial use and more widely for social housing in New Caledonia. “I don’t know what adjective we should find to describe the crisis we are going through.”

In three months, Sic lost 700 million francs, normally a year’s loss.

Among the three pillars of its survival plan, the company plans to “It saves a lot of money on planned business that we were unable to execute, especially the renovation of large building complexes.“, Petelo Sao announced. Before these decisions were made clear “Do not threaten the health of tenants or sacrifice their interests Safety”.

On the issue of debt (the second pillar), Petelo Sao assured that the SIC has “Positive feedback has been received from lender AFD (French Development Agency)”“.”They have maintained their credit lines, allowing us to navigate the coming months.”

Finally, the third lever involves external assistance, which may come from “Communities that can provide housing and habitat to save Sic soldiers”.

In New Caledonia, responsibility for housing lies between the Government and the provinces. “Some measures have been put in place to help (Caledonians) pay their electricity bills and I am awaiting feedback from the community on what support they can offer social landlords.” Call the SIC Chairman.

For Petelo Sao, it’s not just the future of the company that’s at stake, but also the future of its 27,000 employees. “We have to provide them with an urgent response.”

Other bad news: Housing aid that benefits nearly 10,000 New Caledonian families is also under threat. “As we speak, we have not received our monthly housing aid in July, which is equivalent to 160 million francs.” Signal to Pietro Sao.

New Caledonia Real Estate reminded the Sic shareholder government of the importance of maintaining aid and its financing. ‘We have no visibility’its president worries. “I cannot ask tenants who are already in a desperate situation to pay rent without housing assistance.”

This discrimination and segregation after ten years of residence is not conducive to the direction of living together.

Petelo Sao, Chairman of SIC

Finally, the SIC President reacted to the measure regarding social housing that the Southern Province Parliament voted in July last year. From now on, anyone who wants to apply must prove ten years of residence in the Southern Province.

“This measure has anti-social implications,” There was a protest from Petelo Sao, who voted against the reform in the provincial assembly. “Housing is a top priority that affects the entire population. This kind of discrimination and segregation after ten years of living is not conducive to living together. We absolutely must reform the social housing landscape in New Caledonia, rather than ossify it to the provinces.”

Petelo Sao said he favors reforming the current system by creating a single housing code,This will allow us to respond to all New Caledonian families”.