🇫🇷 EU / International

Logement social (France)

Social Housing (HLM) Application in France

Medium ~20 min HousingSocial HousingFrance

/ What is this form?

HLM (Habitations à Loyer Modéré) social housing in France is available to people whose income falls below defined thresholds. Applications are free and submitted online through the national portal.

Waiting times vary enormously — months in rural areas, but 5–10+ years in Paris and other major cities. Priority is given to emergencies (no housing, domestic violence), families with children, and people with disabilities.

The application produces a unique regional number (NUR) and must be renewed every year. Applicants can apply to multiple communes and social housing providers simultaneously.

/ Who needs this form?

French residents with income below HLM thresholds
Families, singles, elderly people, and people with disabilities
People in emergency housing situations

/ What you need before you start

Proof of identity

Tax notice (avis d'imposition) for income verification

Proof of current housing situation

Details of household composition

/ Step-by-step guide

1 Check Income Eligibility

Income must be below HLM thresholds (vary by household size and region). Apply even if you think you're borderline.

2 Apply Online

Apply at demande-logement-social.gouv.fr. You'll receive a unique application number (NUR — Numéro Unique Régional).

3 Select Preferred Communes

Choose multiple preferred areas — limiting to one commune greatly reduces your chances.

4 Renew Annually

The application expires after 1 year — you must renew each year to stay on the waiting list.

5 Respond to Offers

When a unit becomes available matching your profile, you'll be contacted. You can refuse 2 consecutive offers before being removed from some lists.

/ Key fields explained

Field	What to enter	Common mistake
Commune souhaitée	Your preferred city or area. You can list multiple communes.	Only selecting one commune — this dramatically reduces your chances, especially in large cities.

/ Common mistakes to avoid

Not renewing the application annually — it expires and you lose your waiting position.

Only selecting one commune — always select multiple areas to improve chances.

Not applying early enough — waiting times in cities can be decades.

/ Frequently asked questions

How long is the wait?

Months in small rural cities, but 5–10+ years in Paris and major urban areas. Priority situations (homelessness, domestic violence, severe health conditions) are processed faster.