Coopérative Logement d’Abord is a solidarity property company created by the Métropole de Lyon in partnership with the association Solidarités Nouvelles pour le Logement (SNL). 1 Its purpose is to address inadequate housing and homelessness by acquiring vacant homes, carrying out renovations—particularly energy-efficiency improvements—and making the properties available at controlled rents to people experiencing severe hardship. 1
The cooperative also works with local associations to provide social support for residents, with the aim of helping them stabilise their situation and move towards ordinary rental housing. 1 According to SNL director Vanina Mercury, comparable housing arrangements last approximately three years on average, after which 90% of beneficiaries return to a conventional rental pathway. 1
The Métropole de Lyon planned to transfer between 20 and 50 homes from its own housing stock to launch the project. 1 The cooperative’s longer-term objective is to acquire approximately 350 homes from private owners over seven years, including vacant properties requiring substantial renovation. 1 It aims to raise €14 million by 2028 to finance the acquisition and refurbishment of these homes. 1
The organisation was established as a société coopérative d’intérêt collectif (SCIC), with initial capital of €2.6 million; the Métropole de Lyon contributed €1.3 million, while the balance came from SNL, housing organisations, financial and investment partners, and local charities. 1 Its legal name is Coopérative pour le Logement d’Abord, and its registered office is at 20 Rue du Lac in Lyon. 410 The cooperative’s activities are focused on Lyon and the surrounding metropolitan territory, where its partner network and initial housing programme are based. 21