Housing aid — APL, ALF, ALS, FSL, DALO
Complete information on French housing benefits and support for applications to CAF, social landlords and specific schemes.
Housing as a fundamental right
Decent housing is a right recognized by the law of 5 March 2007 on the enforceable right to housing (DALO). Yet in France, nearly 4 million people are poorly housed or without their own housing (Fondation Abbé Pierre, 2024 report).
In response, LORD provides clear information on the full range of schemes: personal housing benefits (APL, ALF, ALS) paid by CAF, the Solidarity Fund for Housing (FSL), DALO appeals, access to social housing, the Visale rental guarantee.
Our role is to orient and explain, not to fill the file in your place — that's the work of social workers and CCAS.
Personal housing benefits
Three benefits can be paid by CAF (or MSA for the agricultural regime). They cannot be combined: the calculation automatically routes you to the right one.
APL — Aide Personnalisée au Logement
For "conventionné" housing (social housing, certain conventionné private housing). Paid directly to landlord or tenant.
ALF — Allocation de Logement Familiale
For families with children or dependents, or young couples, in non-conventionné housing.
ALS — Allocation de Logement Sociale
For people who cannot claim APL or ALF (students, young workers, single people without children in non-conventionné housing).
Complementary solutions
FSL — Solidarity Fund for Housing
One-off aid paid by the Departmental Council for: deposit, first month's rent, agency fees, energy bills, rental debts.
DALO appeal
If you have been seeking social housing without success for a long time, you can file a DALO appeal with the mediation commission of your department.
Visale guarantee
Free rental guarantee provided by Action Logement to young people (under 30), employees in mobility, or people in precarious situations.
Social housing
Submit your unique social housing application on demande-logement-social.gouv.fr. The single number is valid throughout France.
Frequently asked questions
"How do I know if I'm entitled to APL?"
Run a simulation on caf.fr (or msa.fr if you depend on MSA). The simulator calculates your estimated entitlement in a few minutes based on your income, family composition and rent.
"My social housing file has been waiting for 3 years — what should I do?"
First check your application is up to date (annual renewal mandatory). If the deadline is largely exceeded and your situation is urgent, you can file a DALO appeal.
"I can no longer pay my rent — who do I turn to?"
Don't let debt grow. Immediately contact your landlord, your CAF (which can activate a debt prevention scheme) and your CCAS. The FSL can cover part of rental debts under conditions.