Haute Garonne. Faced with the energy crisis and inflation, new aid from the Department
Through Guillaume Laurent
Published on
On the occasion of his greetings to the press, Thursday January 12, 2023, the president of the Departmental Council of Haute-Garonne called for “imagine new transport projects” in the agglomeration of Toulouse, considering that this is more than ever a “problem that poisons us and commits us”. But for the occasion, Sebastian Vincini also announced new measures in terms of solidarityone of the main competences of his community, of which he globally wants the role of “social shield”. “In the context of inflation and energy crisis that we are experiencing”, he defended, “we must be there in the missions assigned to us”.
Solidarity vouchers will be perpetuated
First, the Department decided to perpetuate good solidarity, launched at the start of the health crisis, to support the most vulnerable. Intended for “the purchase of food and basic necessities”, this device “was intended to be temporary when we created it, but we have decided to maintain it”, announces Sébastien Vincini. These vouchers are worth 150 to 300 euros, and renewable three times a year. Namely that since 2020, over 110,000 were awarded, for a total amount of more than 23 million euros.
Supporting households to “pay their energy bills”
In addition to these vouchers, President Vincini announced on Thursday the creation of new aidsalways aimed at the most precarious, which is added to the battery of measures created.
To provide social support for “households unable to pay their energy bills, the Department has decided to “expand the aid within the framework of the Housing Solidarity Fund”, the community of which will revise upwards the ceilings of resources, in connection with Toulouse Métropole.
Revaluation of aid for energy renovation
For “those who want to invest in the modernization of their housing, and reduce their energy bill”, the Departmental Council will also upgrade the existing “financial system” for renovations, continued Sébastien Vincini. Subject to means testing, this aid granted to owners within the framework of the Anah (National Housing Agency) is now increased to a maximum of 7,500 euros per dwelling for energy renovation work (compared to 3,000 euros previously), and even up to €12,500 in case of heavy rehabilitation of very degraded housing (5,000 euros so far).
Pour them modest households, but not subsidized hitherto by Anah, the new departmental aid will be able to reach 15% of the cost excluding VAT of the works, ie 4,500 euros maximum per energy renovation project, and 7,500 euros per major rehabilitation project.
A new heater replacement aid
Finally, the community located on Boulevard de la Marquette in Toulouse will also set up assistance for the replacement of polluting heating systems. Again, this subsidy is intended for households with very low and modest incomes. For an amount of 1,000 to 2,000 euros, it is therefore refused in view of the applicant’s resources.
Sébastien Vincini’s “categorical no” to pension reform
“In view of the social agenda, was it time for a pension reform?” also questioned Sébastien Vincini, in the preamble to his wishes to the press on Thursday. Observing that “seven out of ten of our fellow citizens are opposed to it”, the president of the Departmental Council denounced “a total injustice” embodied by this reform which, according to him, “will penalize long careers”. Faced with the “great social movement” that is looming, the elected socialist announced the color: “The reform that is coming, for me, is a categorical no. I will be alongside those who are mobilizing, and with them. I will be a national actor”.
Other flagship measures reinforced or renewed
Among the other measures announced this Thursday, the Departmental Council announces the strengthening of school catering assistancewith a new scale applied since the start of the school year, which makes it possible to extend access to free meals: 550 additional students thus benefit from total exemption (i.e. 9,129 now).
Finally, it should be noted that the community has decided to maintain free school transport of all studentsfrom kindergarten to high school. We don’t know much about it, but it is in fact the Department that issues the Pastel card free of charge to all students using public transport, including on the territory of Toulouse Métropole, on the Tisséo networks, LiO coaches, or even TER. “This measure represents for families a saving of 612 euros per student per year,” argues Sébastien Vincini.
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