At a hundred days before the Olympics, gendarmes were mobilized to evacuate France’s largest squatter camp, which housed up to 450 refugees, in Vitry-sur-Seine on April 17, 2024. The eviction had been expected for several days and on the morning of April 17, the largest squat in France, located in Vitry-sur-Seine, was being evacuated. Around 250 agents were mobilized for the operation, according to the prefecture of the department. These vacant offices, slated for demolition, had housed up to 450 refugees, mostly in a regular situation, according to associations. Many homeless individuals who had sought refuge there had already left before the arrival of law enforcement.
Approximately 300 occupants who remained had left the premises shortly after 8am with their suitcases filled with all their belongings, looking worried. Some had been staying in the buildings for several months, either due to not finding housing in the private sector or while waiting for social housing. The housing solutions for these displaced individuals remain unknown at this time. According to United Migrants, an association providing assistance to them, 80% were in a regular situation in France. For several months, the collective “Le revers de la médaille,” which includes associations helping precarious individuals living on the streets, has been warning about the fate of the homeless whose makeshift camps are being dismantled more frequently as the Olympics approach.
Paul Alauzy from Doctors Without Borders stated that this latest eviction is linked to the Olympics. He mentioned that over the past year, there have been numerous expulsions, with the evacuated squats remaining empty. The individuals being expelled are from various countries like Chad, Sudan, Eritrea, Ivory Coast, and Guinea, and many have legal papers and stable jobs but struggle to find apartments to rent. The only solution left for them is squatting as they work in the Ile-de-France region. The situation highlights the challenges faced by migrants and refugees in obtaining stable housing in the Paris region and its surrounding areas.
The evacuations of squats and makeshift camps have become more frequent in the lead-up to the Olympics, raising concerns about the treatment of displaced individuals. The collective Le revers de la médaille has been vocal about the need to provide stable housing solutions for those affected by the evictions. As the Games draw near, the issue of homelessness and inadequate housing for migrants and refugees has come to the forefront, shedding light on the struggles faced by vulnerable populations in the Paris region. Measures like temporary shelter solutions far from the city center have been proposed, but the long-term housing prospects for those displaced remain uncertain.
The story of the Vitry-sur-Seine evacuation reflects a broader trend of evictions and displacements that disproportionately affect marginalized communities. The ongoing challenges faced by migrants, refugees, and homeless individuals in finding secure housing highlight systemic issues that need to be addressed. As the countdown to the Olympics continues, the focus on housing rights and social justice for all residents, regardless of their background or legal status, becomes increasingly urgent. The response to these evictions and the support provided to those affected will be crucial in determining the level of inclusivity and social cohesion in the host city during the sporting event.
