Caen's administrative tribunal orders the evacuation of the homeless camp located in the city's "Presqu'île" neighbourhood

This decision comes as a result of a judicial procedure led by the city's municipality. Caen referred the matter to its local administrative court, requesting it as an emergency trial and the decision was rendered on Wednesday, 20th August:

"Occupants without rights or title to public property along the Cours Cafarelli in Caen are ordered to vacate the premises and remove all their belongings without delay."

This decision was followed yesterday by a police visit to the camp, the purpose of which was to inform its occupants of their obligation to leave.

Around a hundred people in the camp

To the occupants, the news was less than welcome. The 800m campsite has served, since 2023, as a home to many families with little other option in terms of housing. Between 80 and 110 people are believed to live on the campground, including many children. The living conditions are poor and poverty is rampant.

None of them were represented at the trial.

Drug trade blamed for the decision

Caen's mayor, Aristide Olivier, has said that the decision is the result of an enquiry that has revealed an increase in drug and arms trafficking as well as an increase in prostitution in the local area.

Asked by reporters at ICI Normandie, he also claims that, despite the tribunal's order, the evacuation is not likely to be imminent. Olivier says that Caen is "working with government departments to [...] offer rehousing proposals to people who are legally resident or homeless. And once [they] have done that, [they] will be able to clear the camp completely."

A decision criticised by the opposition

Ecologist candidate Rudy L'Orphelin has called the decision to evacuate the camp "shocking", adding that it "once again illustrates the city's refusal to commit to rehousing the homeless when the state fails to fulfil its duty to provide emergency accommodation."

Among the people living in the camp, migrants without any other available housing solution. How the situation evolves now remains to be seen. But, at this time, the answer to the question of where the occupants of the camp will be relocated to remains unclear.