Logement

Logement is a term used especially in French-speaking contexts to denote a dwelling or housing unit that provides shelter and space for living. It encompasses a wide range of accommodations, including houses, apartments, studios, and other forms of residence, whether owned, rented, or provided by public or social programs. The concept comprises not only the physical structure but also the rights to occupy and use the space, along with associated amenities and services (heating, water, electricity, waste disposal, access to transportation). Tenure types include owner-occupied housing, rental housing, cooperative housing, and social housing. The housing market is influenced by supply and demand, construction costs, mortgage rates, income levels, and government policy. Common policy tools are zoning and land-use regulations, rent controls, housing vouchers, public or social housing programs, and tax incentives to stimulate supply or rehabilitation.

Quality and affordability are central concerns. Indicators include occupancy rates, overcrowding, price-to-income ratios, and housing quality standards. Accessibility and energy efficiency are increasingly prioritized, with adaptations for people with disabilities and initiatives to reduce energy consumption.

Historically, housing provision has varied with urbanization, economic development, and policy aims. In many countries, public housing or social housing programs emerged in the 20th century to address slums and overcrowding, while recent trends emphasize mixed-income housing, privatization, and sustainable construction.

In French policy discussions, logement often denotes both the physical dwelling and the rights or conditions of occupying it, as in logement social (social housing) or logement locatif (rental housing).