Logements domaniaux : le Conseil national craint une pénurie en 2026

The article “Logements domaniaux : le Conseil national craint une pénurie en 2026” was published by Monaco Hebdo, a leading Monaco‑based news outlet covering politics and society. Authored by Raphaël Brun, a journalist specialised in domestic policy, the piece reports on parliamentary debates concerning the future of state‑owned housing in Monaco and highlights concerns about a potential shortage by 2026.

During the 2022 revised budget review, the National Council warned that delays in state‑owned housing projects could lead to a shortage as early as 2026. Although 28 % of the equipment budget (≈ €208 million) is earmarked for housing Monégasques, several construction programmes have stalled, been cancelled, or face prolonged timelines. Deputy Franck Lobono cited a typical 100 new housing requests per year and noted that private developers need at least three years to complete a building, whereas state‑directed projects can take five to seven years due to procedural bottlenecks.

The national housing plan targets 1 800 apartments by 2035, averaging 122 new units per year. To meet this schedule, the government aims to provide 122 moderate‑rent homes annually over a 15‑year horizon. So far, 1 416 net units remain to be delivered, representing 53 more apartments than the 2019 projection of 1 363. Between 2022 and 2024, 812 apartments were allocated, with most requests satisfied by 2023.

Specific projects have encountered serious setbacks. The Bel Air development, originally slated for 2023‑24, has been postponed to late 2026 or 2027. Two other schemes, Evos and Grande‑Bretagne, were approved then withdrawn, further eroding the delivery pipeline. The council warned that any two‑year gap without new state‑owned units would be unacceptable for young families and individuals seeking affordable housing.

Council members have suggested several remedial actions. For the Grande‑Bretagne site, legislators propose a swift expropriation law to clear land‑ownership obstacles. They also urge the government to prioritise market‑type contracts focused on speed, cost control, and quality, aiming to commence deliveries from late 2025. Additional “intermediate constructions” have been discussed to compensate for the 200 units lost from the Bel Air delay.

State Minister Pierre Dartout confirmed that the national plan still foresees a net surplus of 1 416 homes, with 53 extra units beyond earlier forecasts. He reported that 812 apartments have already been allocated for 2022‑24 and that most demand will be met by 2023. The government continues to explore alternative sites and partnerships with private promoters, promising concrete announcements during the 2023 budget session (expected December 2022). Ongoing discussions aim to identify “quickly deliverable” projects for the 2024‑26 period.

For a pan‑European audience, the Monaco case illustrates the challenges of aligning high‑budget public housing programmes with efficient delivery timelines. The reliance on state‑directed construction, while enabling substantial financial commitment, can lead to protracted procedures that undermine sustainability goals. The article underscores the importance of streamlined permitting, public‑private collaboration, and adaptive policy tools—such as targeted expropriation—to ensure that affordable, energy‑efficient housing reaches residents promptly, a lesson applicable across European jurisdictions seeking to meet climate‑friendly housing targets.