Lyon Proposes Public Tranquility Brigades to Combat Drug Trafficking in Social Housing

Bruno Bernard, the ecologist president of the Lyon metropolitan area, has unveiled a comprehensive housing plan addressing the city's local real estate crisis and public safety issues. Central to this plan is the creation of a public tranquility brigade comprising 40 agents dedicated to social housing areas heavily affected by public disturbances and drug trafficking. The initiative aims to improve living conditions and enhance security in these neighborhoods, with an annual budget of approximately three million euros. This new brigade will work collaboratively with social landlords and local police forces.

Bernard's broader housing strategy also seeks to expand rent control beyond Lyon and Villeurbanne to specific neighborhoods near metro stations and to regulate land prices through partnerships with municipalities and the state. Additionally, his plan includes accelerating land acquisition efforts to enable residents to buy homes at rental prices, targeting the delivery of 1,000 affordable housing units annually.

These proposals come amid a challenging housing market marked by high rental demand and stagnant or falling property prices. The promise to build 5,000 social housing units annually between 2020 and 2026 has also not been met. The upcoming municipal and metropolitan elections are expected to feature housing and public safety prominently, with Bernard's plan reflecting an integrated approach to reducing speculation, increasing affordable housing, and addressing drug trafficking in vulnerable social housing sectors.