Since the announcement of the requisition of student accommodation managed by the Crous for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the controversy has been heated. Students, student organizations and certain politicians denounce the government’s lack of consideration towards them. This requisition not only causes inconvenience for students who will have to be relocated, but also a surge in the prices of accommodation available during this period.
The Minister of Higher Education tried to calm things down by announcing compensation of 100 euros and two places to attend Olympic events. However, this proposal was strongly criticized by many stakeholders, describing this compensation as insufficient and contemptuous of students. Some MPs even used the expression “100 bullets and a Mars” to illustrate this treatment considered unworthy.
Furthermore, the Paris administrative court suspended in summary proceedings the decision of the Crous to limit occupancy leases for student accommodation. This decision was welcomed by student unions who denounce an attack on students’ rights. The court stressed that the interests of the participants in the Games could not take precedence over the situation of the students and suspended the decision of the Crous.
Faced with the controversy, the Minister of Higher Education justified the requisition of housing by invoking common sense. She says that of the 6,000 student accommodations left empty over the summer, only 3,200 will be used for Games participants, while 2,200 students will need to be relocated.
However, this situation causes anxiety and uncertainty among students who are already struggling to make ends meet. Some of them now find themselves uncertain about their accommodation for the summer, adding an additional source of anxiety.
The housing requisitions for the Paris-2024 Olympic Games are a delicate situation which highlights the need to find satisfactory solutions for all parties concerned. It is essential to take into account the reality and needs of students in order not to put them in an even more precarious situation.