The Fondation Abbé Pierre : standing up for those who are badly housed

In 1987, the Fondation Abbé Pierre was started. Its aim is to provide housing for the destitute and underprivileged, and to be their spokesperson to make the authorities aware of their situation. The Foundation has various objectives : to provide aid to destitute families who are homeless; to encourage initiatives in associations ; to take part in financing innovative actions for building or renovating accommodation ; to help implement specific aid ; to suggest improvements in the regulations ; and to try out innovative solutions for welcoming and housing the destitute. The actions behind this original view are in keeping with the rigour and the incisive force of its founder : precise studies of reality are carried out ; analyses are made by a board of experts ; annual reports are published to increase the general public’s awareness ; public demonstrations are organised from time to time ; and time is spent working with journalists to help them to understand the housing problem so that they can convey the seriousness of the problem to their readers.