The French government makes plans to move homeless people out of Paris ahead of the 2024 Olympics. They have been asking officials around France to set up “temporary regional accommodation facilities” that could handle large groups of homeless people who are mostly migrants.

The Mayor of Northwest Bruz, Brittany Philippe Salmon, stated “We are not in favor of creating a facility in our area, in conditions that we consider unacceptable.” These plans have caused many issues between the national government and the state governments because these states are being forced to make room for large populations of homeless people living in their towns. Many of the facilities being used by the French government were hotels that communities wanted to be used to rent out for sports fans and tourists.

While speaking with people who have gone to Paris there were many opinions on the issue of homelessness. Evelyn Ficek, a student at Central who visited Paris in the spring of 2023, said “When I went to France it seemed like there was an obvious problem with homelessness but a problem just like every other big city.” Roan O’Brien, who is also a Student at Central, visited at the same time, noted he “didn’t see the same” because he felt like the time he went was already weird because of the large strikes related to pension reform. So homelessness wasn’t the issue he noticed.

Many homelessness charities are worried that putting people up in good conditions in France rather than in the streets is positive but will they put in the necessary resources. Another student who visited France, senior Sarah Mckendall claimed “There isn’t really a short-term solution that will be good. They need to solve this problem in an ethical way that actually helps the people.”

O’Brien claims that the government needs to “take a look at their housing crisis” and take this chance to make a change. There is an obvious need for a change in the approach of the French government.
In total, 1,800 homeless people have been moved outside of Paris since April of this year in preparation. Even though this plan has continued, many hope France will use this to help the people who are homeless.