Finding accommodation

Organisations such as Mission Locale community aid projects for young people and Action Logement housing support centres, especially with Visale, a free and reliable solution for security deposits (VISALE) and the Loca-Pass deposit advance (www.locapass.actionlogement.fr).

You can take out a loan, which must be repaid. Verify your ability to repay it before committing to the loan.

The CRIJ Grand Est also offers additional information on finding accommodation: IJ Grand Est – “Finding accommodation” (“Se loger”) section

The Youth Support Fund (FAJ) is aimed at young people aged 18 to 25 years old who are facing difficulties in social and professional integration. It can provide varied and individualised support, for example with purchasing food, transport costs, assistance with housing, etc.

To apply for the FAJ, it is essential to be supported by a social worker from the Mission Locale. FAJ

In addition, the Marne department, together with the Housing Solidarity Fund (FSL), offers support for moving, the security deposit, outstanding rent payments, outstanding energy payments, landline invoices, etc. To learn more, look at the Marne Social Housing and Integration Service: Marne Housing and by phone at +33 (0) 326 695 151.

The digital platform allows you to explore all of the free services near you. If you leave your e-mail address or phone number, you will be contacted by the professionals you selected in the following days. They will provide you with support according to your needs. https://boussole.jeunes.gouv.fr

If you need help paying your rent and your utilities, you can call the Family Allowance Fund (CAF) to receive Personalised Housing Assistance (APL) or the Social Housing Allowance (ALS).

• The APL is a personalised form of housing assistance. It is paid directly by the CAF for state-convention moderate rent housing. The majority of housing falls in the state-convention category, in particular that managed by moderate rent housing (HLM) organisations and CROUS residences.
• The ALS is a social housing benefit. It is most generally allocated to students. It can be paid for a room in a foyer for low-income students or university residence or a studio, apartment or house.

The benefits are automatically stopped on 1 July for all students, unless you inform the CAF that you will be staying in your accommodation past this date. Think about sending in your application right away because the CAF assistance is no longer retroactive!

To find out more: CAF. / https://www.caf.fr/allocataires/actualites/2021/votre-aide-au-logement-etudiant-2021

You can also simulate calculation of the APL.

N.B.: if you become a CAF recipient yourself, your parents’ entitlements to benefits may change. Talk to them about it! Do some research about the CAF.

If you are eligible, your residence will receive the housing benefit on your behalf and you will only pay the difference to your residence. Look into it once you arrive!