Energy retrofit of precarious jointly owned properties

The Rexel Foundation is participating in a project organized by the Enterprise and Poverty Action Tank run by HEC. The project focuses on the financing and renovation of jointly owned properties that have been deteriorated by urban densification. Using a full-size experiment, the Action Tank’s members are providing a sustainable and repeatable large-scale economic model that involves target communities as well as a panel of stakeholders such as EDF, Total, la Banque Postale, Bouygues Habitat Social, Veolia and les Compagnons Bâtisseurs.

Objectives

• Develop a lasting energy retrofit model for deteriorated or deteriorating jointly owned properties.
• Support occupant behavior change in order to raise their awareness of the works and encourage good practices.
• Report on progress and results through a study on social and environmental impact led by Planète d’Entrepreneurs and funded by the Rexel Foundation.

Moving toward new renovation models to fight the pauperization of precarious jointly owned properties

Renovating deteriorated jointly owned properties is among the key priorities on the French Ministry of Housing’s political agenda and has been included in the ALUR law. The principle is to put an end to the vicious circle of co-owner pauperization, which is due to the fact that they are no longer able to provide the resources required to properly maintain the building, or to meet their financial obligations. Experimental solutions include third party financing and energy performance contracting.

After selecting a deteriorated jointly owned property, and taking into account the co-owners’ needs, the various stakeholders (regional governments, co-owners, co-ownership associations, prime contracting, builders, etc.) define the terms and conditions of the works to be carried out and propose a financing plan for these deteriorated properties, as well as an awareness-raising program about the solutions implemented. Indeed, once the works have been completed –with the planned participation of volunteers – the co-owners will receive financial and social support in order to foster the adoption of good behavior.