"Take a break from construction": the housing issue is causing tension at Mougins municipal council

First tension: the revival of the Les Campelières residence for students and young professionals, already voted in 2022. To allow its realization, the municipality will have to obtain an environmental exemption after moving protected species* to refuge areas. Opposition councilor Françoise Duhalde still asks: "Why student residences in Mougins when we don't have a high school or a university?"

The mayor's response: "The students are 100 meters from Avenue du Campon, and therefore public transport is still developing. The need is crucial, among young professionals as well. It's a service we provide to the population." Four votes against from the "Agissons pour Mougins" group. The same divide exists over the loan guarantees granted by the city to the company 3F Résidences, for the acquisition of 133 student rental units and 12 intermediate rental units in the Les Campelières residence. In return, 27 units are reserved for the municipality. Françoise Duhalde called for "a pause on construction."

Mastering urban planning

The mayor is making a "political choice" to house young Mouginois who want to continue living in Mougins. "This is a guarantee, not a compensation grant, which we prefer to put into this type of operation rather than giving it to the State. We prefer to provide a service to the population rather than lose money outright." Two grants for land surcharges for the benefit of the Unicil company have been approved. The first project, located on Avenue Maréchal-Juin, provides for 56 housing units, including 28 subsidized rental units for active people . Voted unanimously, a grant of €240,000 will allow Mougins to reserve 8 housing units. The second project, at 827 Chemin des Campelières, includes 16 subsidized rental units out of a total of 32 , with €60,000 in aid and two reserved units. "The work being done with the CCAS, the operators and the State is complicated but allows us to make choices about who can enter these apartments. (...) Today, we have a city that is not deprived and we are still at 400,000 euros in penalties instead of 2.5 million. (...) I repeat myself for the umpteenth time: it is better to support and control housing rather than being imposed and going to 2 million more given to the State." A speech that did not convince the four opposition elected officials who voted against.

*The aquatic canary plant and the Hemidactyl lizard.