The upcoming 2024 Olympic Games in Paris have triggered a wave of evictions in the northern suburb of Seine-Saint-Denis, exacerbating the city’s homelessness crisis. Thousands of migrants, asylum seekers, and Roma are caught up in these forced evictions, impacting their living conditions and adding to the broader social housing challenges faced by the region. The closures of more than 60 squats in Seine-Saint-Denis this year, often in proximity to Olympic facilities, have raised questions about the potential beautification efforts for the sporting event, although authorities deny any direct connection to the games.
Seine-Saint-Denis, the poorest department in France with a population exceeding 1.6 million, is hosting over half of the structures related to the 2024 Summer Games, including the Olympic Village. The region, known for having the largest number of squats and informally built slums in France, is witnessing an increase in evictions, creating instability for vulnerable communities residing in these areas.
The closure of at least 60 squats in Seine-Saint-Denis in 2023, based on a Reuters tally, has prompted concerns among advocates and officials. While the local prefecture claims that the evictions follow standard legal procedures and are unrelated to the Olympics, activists argue that the accelerated closures, aided by a new law imposing harsh penalties for illegal occupation, contribute to the city’s homelessness challenges.
The closures are impacting vulnerable populations, with at least 3,000 individuals affected, as per Reuters’ count. Many displaced residents are finding themselves on the streets of Seine-Saint-Denis and other Paris districts, while others are being relocated to distant parts of France. The reduction of social hotel places for emergency housing, coupled with the closure of squats, creates additional pressure on an already strained system.
The Seine-Saint-Denis prefecture contends that the squat evictions are not linked to the Olympics but rather align with established legal procedures. However, critics argue that the prefecture has not provided comprehensive data on squat evictions, as mandated by a freedom of information ruling. The closure of squats is exacerbating homelessness, and officials point to a reduction of available emergency housing places in the region.
While the 2024 Olympic Games present an immediate challenge, long-term housing concerns persist. The Solideo, responsible for Olympic infrastructure, plans to convert the Athletes’ Village into nearly 3,000 homes, with only 17% designated as general social housing units. Local groups argue that this is insufficient, given the soaring housing prices that remain out of reach for many residents in the area.
The forced evictions and closure of squats near Paris’ Olympic facilities are casting a spotlight on the broader homelessness issue in Seine-Saint-Denis. As the city grapples with preparations for the 2024 Games, concerns about housing, social infrastructure, and the displacement of vulnerable communities underscore the need for comprehensive and sustainable solutions to address these challenges both in the short term and beyond the sporting event.
