France to freeze housing assistance (APL) in 2027

The French government has announced plans to freeze Personalized Housing Assistance (APL) in 2027. Minister for Cities and Housing Vincent Jeanbrun confirmed that while the nominal amount of the benefit will not be reduced, it will not be adjusted for inflation. This decision is part of a broader 54-billion-euro austerity package proposed by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to address national debt and budget deficits.

In practice, the freeze acts as a gradual erosion of purchasing power. As rents and living costs rise, the fixed amount of assistance will cover a smaller portion of household expenses. The measure targets millions of low-income households, including students and pensioners, for whom the average monthly assistance of approximately 219 euros is significant.

Jeanbrun described the move as a “substantial” saving and stated, “We are asking a small effort from everyone.” The government intends to use the resulting fiscal margin to fund other housing initiatives, such as facilitating home ownership. The proposal must still undergo parliamentary review and is not yet a finalized law.