TAPAJ participants in Lille renovating an apartment
Social housing providers are our key economic partners. Over forty HLM (low-income housing) organizations regularly entrust TAPAJ with service contracts – a testament to their strong commitment ! But what motivates these providers to partner with TAPAJ?
With the TAPAJ program, “this concept of integration takes on its full meaning,” says Marion Attra, Director of Community Engagement at Ligeris. Like other social housing providers, she calls on TAPAJ participants to help improve the quality of life in neighborhoods. This collaboration addresses both social and urban management challenges at the local level, fostering stronger, more cohesive communities.
The partnership between social housing providers and TAPAJ began in 2018 with the signing of the first agreement and has continued to grow ever since. What started as one-off contracts has evolved into annual or even multi-year agreements and framework contracts with scheduled regular interventions. This reflects a deepening and solidifying collaboration, ensuring sustainable cooperation to support both TAPAJ participants and the improvement of local communities.
The worksessions carried out with Ligeris, such as bulk waste removal and cleaning around residential areas, are well-received by residents. TAPAJ participants operate in priority neighborhoods (QPV), providing an added service for tenants in these areas. After some initial explanation of the program, the initiative was positively embraced. “People now recognize them in the neighborhoods,” says Marion Attra with a smile.
In addition to meeting residents’ needs, the innovative mission of TAPAJ aligns perfectly with the commitments of social housing providers: youth support, inclusion, solidarity, and the fight against poverty.
Commitment to a Social and Ecological Approach
By using work as a stepping stone toward comprehensive support, TAPAJ positions itself within the field of social integration. This allows organizations to engage TAPAJ participants to fulfill social inclusion clauses in various projects, such as those under the New National Urban Renewal Program (NPNRU).
For social housing providers, TAPAJ offers an innovative and distinctive solution tailored to meet these specific requirements, combining practical service delivery with a strong commitment to social impact and youth empowerment.
Marion Attra was unfamiliar with TAPAJ at first, but she was immediately impressed by the program. “Being able to support people in difficulty makes perfect sense in neighborhoods where challenges already exist. It can show our tenants that programs like TAPAJ and others are available, as we have several agreements in place,” explains the Director of Community Engagement at Ligeris.
What she particularly values about TAPAJ is that it doesn’t focus solely on the work aspect. “There’s so much more to it: it’s comprehensive support from start to finish—not just ‘we do the job and get handed cash at the end.’ It’s this holistic care approach that I found really compelling,” she emphasizes.
“It’s important for our tenants to see that Ligeris is involved in various local initiatives and that we are here to support them,” emphasizes the Director of Community Engagement for the housing provider in Tours. This commitment aligns with the emerging concept of Territorial Corporate Responsibility (TCR), which encourages collaboration among a wide range of local stakeholders to create a positive impact on the region.
This value is deeply rooted in the mission of social housing providers, who work with diverse organizations to address the specific needs of their residents. TAPAJ is one such partner. For example, Est Métropole Habitat compensated 475 young people—including TAPAJ participants from both priority neighborhoods (QPV) and other areas—through the “Chantiers Jeunes XXL” projects in Villeurbanne and Saint-Jean.
Helping the most vulnerable young people, strengthening social cohesion, and positively impacting local communities—these are key objectives of TAPAJ that align perfectly with the social commitments of HLM organizations! Through collaborative efforts, TAPAJ supports both youth empowerment and community development, contributing to a more inclusive and resilient society.
Housing Providers + TAPAJ: Diverse Projects Supported by the ATFBP
The services that housing providers can entrust to TAPAJ participants are diverse. These include tasks related to the environment, such as green space maintenance, waste management, and bulk waste removal, as well as building-related work like cleaning and renovations. TAPAJ participants can also assist with moving services and document distribution.
Most importantly, TAPAJ contributes to the completion of specific projects that qualify for the abatement of the Property Tax on Built Properties (TFPB). This collaboration offers a practical and impactful solution for housing providers to improve living conditions while supporting social integration and youth employment.
Enhancing Spaces through Murals: TAPAJ Montpellier and Hérault Logement (2021)
More recently, TAPAJ participants have even created murals, offering a rewarding experience that highlights their creativity. These works not only beautify the neighborhoods but also provide enjoyment for the residents who benefit from the improved surroundings.
The only requirement for these projects is a low threshold of entry, which ensures that young people can participate without facing high barriers. This approach helps them gradually build self-confidence and develop their sense of empowerment, fostering both personal growth and professional development.
Building and Evolving Partnerships
Every partnership with a housing provider is unique. TAPAJ works collaboratively to co-create each project, contract, and agreement, tailoring them to the specific needs expressed by the partner. After an initial contact with the territory’s ecosystem development officers, a specifications document is prepared.
This approach ensures that projects are well-aligned with local priorities and that all stakeholders are fully engaged, fostering a partnership that promotes both youth empowerment and community development.
“Bulk Waste Removal” Project with Ligeris
According to Marion Attra, the process—from drafting the agreement to executing the services—went smoothly. “Initially, the first projects were always carried out alongside our own staff. Now, the TAPAJ participants work independently. The fact that someone from the program is always present during each project is reassuring,” she explains.
Although the service is outsourced, participants are supervised by a program representative who not only monitors the work but also builds a relationship with the young workers. There is also a practical aspect to this collaboration. For example, Ligeris provides the CAARUD with project dates at the start of the year, “which helps them plan ahead and recruit TAPAJ participants.”
The projects offered through TAPAJ can evolve in various ways, including location, duration, and type of tasks. This flexibility shaped Ligeris’ approach to their partnership. It began with the signing of an agreement in early 2023, establishing a monthly project in Tours.
“We added Joué-lès-Tours at the end of 2023. I’m taking things step by step because the goal isn’t to overwhelm them,” explains the Director of Community Engagement at Ligeris.
During a steering committee meeting in September to review the year’s progress with TAPAJ Tours, she even suggested adding a third project to further strengthen the partnership and expand opportunities for participants.
“We’re currently the only organization in Indre-et-Loire to have signed a partnership agreement with CAARUD 37,” notes Marion Attra with some regret. “We hope this will inspire our fellow housing providers because we believe in it and are proud of this collaboration.”
The goal is to expand these partnerships beyond the Touraine metropolitan area. To support this effort, TAPAJ France will be present at the HLM Congress from September 26 to 28.
