Temporary Shelter Challenges in Seine-Saint-Denis Amidst Olympic Preparations

A Temporary Refuge in Seine-Saint-Denis

The building, once a bustling warehouse and later transformed into apartments and offices, now serves as a temporary shelter for 60 adults and children. Within its walls, a single shower caters to the needs of all its residents. On the ground floor, the unsettling sight of rats scurrying beneath plastic chairs and parked baby strollers is all too common. The air is thick with the unpleasant odors of damp clothing and clogged toilets, overpowering the rich aromas of tomatoes and spices emanating from makeshift kitchenettes on the upper floors. In the inner courtyard, the joyful sounds of laughter reverberate as children play, scooping up giggling babies and playfully swinging them skyward.

This is a so-called squat located in Seine-Saint-Denis, a suburban area east of Paris that was once an industrial hub. Today, it stands juxtaposed against a backdrop of trendy cafes and high-fashion boutiques, alongside abandoned factories and repurposed spaces like this warehouse, which has become unauthorized housing for the homeless and immigrants alike.

Mariam Komara, a 40-year-old undocumented immigrant from the Ivory Coast, has called this place home since last year. Recently, she was preparing to attend court to assert her right to remain in France. “It may not be ideal, but it’s the best I have, and it’s a safe place to sleep,” she remarked one evening, her expression a mix of resilience and hope.

However, as the Paris Olympics approach, Seine-Saint-Denis is poised to become the vibrant heart of the Games, hosting thousands of athletes in the nearby Olympic Village. This transformation brings to the forefront one of France’s most pressing dilemmas.

In recent years, the country has seen an influx of hundreds of thousands of immigrants, with Seine-Saint-Denis bearing the brunt of this demographic shift. Approximately one-third of the more than 1.6 million residents in Seine-Saint-Denis are immigrants, marking it as the area with the highest percentage of immigrants in France. This rapid increase has put immense pressure on the already strained housing stock, highlighting the challenges faced by the government in addressing the needs of its diverse population.