Identifying and estimating the residential property vacancy: what methodology should be used? ; Identifier et estimer la vacance immobilière résidentielle : quelle méthodologie ?

Abstract

promoting a balance between supply and demand throughout the real estate market is a major challenge for any local and regional authority. In that regard, if the residential vacancy appears to be a 'natural' component of that dynamic, in particular when it forms part of an objective of maintenance or renovation of the existing building (known as a frictional vacancy), an excessive percentage of long-term unoccupied dwellings may prove harmful in many respects. On the one hand, it can play an important role in the current difficulties in ensuring the real effectiveness of Article 23 of our Constitution, guaranteeing access to decent housing for all. Although all citizens are concerned by this issue, access to affordable quality housing appears to be a central issue for vulnerable households. On the other hand, this vacancy may lead to the emergence of urban songs and thus jeopardise the attractiveness, particularly economic, of a city or region. The fight against vacant buildings is therefore in addition to the fundamental issues dealt with by the public authorities. The identification and estimation of residential property vacancy are central steps in monitoring public policies aimed at bringing vacant housing back to the market. A methodology should be put in place that is easily applicable by public actors and allows for monitoring in time and space. It is in this context that a pilot research carried out in collaboration with the Centre d'Etudes en Habitat durable (CEHD) and the Charleroi Social Relais (RSC) through its Observatory on Great Poverty and Exclusion from Housing has been set up on the territory of the City of Charleroi in the private housing stock. This pilot research was built around two distinct and complementary objectives. In this article, we focus on the first part of this pilot research, identifying existing methodologies for identifying and estimating the property vacancy (section 1) and then detailing the implementation of a specific methodology based on water and electricity consumption, ...