Housing Benefits

There are different organisations who can provide financial aid if you need help paying for accommodation.

• The 'Caisse d'allocations familiale' (CAF) is the French equivalent of the Department of Social Services in the UK. It offers financial support to families and young people, such as students, in the form of monthly housing benefits which lower their rental costs. There are two different types of allowances: the 'individualized aid for accommodation' (APL) and the 'aid for accommodation' (AL). To be able to benefit from these you will need to be renting a property. You then need to fill in an application form on the site caf.fr. This application will be assessed by the CAF, who will decide which benefits you are entitled to receive.

• The organisation '1% logement' offers two types of assistance. The AVANCE LOCA-PASS is an interest-free loan which can be used to pay the security deposit. You must begin repaying the loan after three months, within a maximum of thirty-six months. With the GARANTIE LOCA-PASS the organisation acts as guarantor, and commits itself to pay up to eighteen outstanding rental payments within three years of the beginning of your tenancy. For more details see locapass.fr.

• At the 'Office Public d'Aménagement et de Construction' (OPAC) you can apply for council homes as well as housing benefits. Every region and major city has their own OPAC.
  
  

All of these Organisations have websites, via which you can ask questions and find out more information.