In Paris, the satirical Pics d’or ceremony highlights two “anti-homeless devices”

It’s a price the capital would happily have done without. On Monday, the Abbé Pierre Foundation organized the Pics d’or ceremony for its third edition. Hosted in particular by the actress and comedian Amelle Chahbi and by Blanche Gardin, actress, comedian and patron of the Foundation, this awards ceremony “rewards” the worst anti-homeless measures in France.

Among those nominated for the main “The Nail” prize was a device on Boulevard de la Villette, in the 19th arrondissement of Paris, where arches were filled in so that no one could take shelter there.

Named “Droit dans le mur” by the Abbé Pierre Foundation, this development was set up in the middle of summer under the arches of the line 2 aerial metro, near the Colonel Fabien station. “The arches were closed during the consolidation work on the structure by concrete block walls which must be removed,” explains the RATP, which denies being at the origin of an “anti-homeless device”.

The Régie has also just celebrated the 30th anniversary of the social collection, which provides assistance to the homeless in the metro. “Every day, the RATP Social Report meets an average of 160 people, nearly three-quarters of whom accept the support offered to them,” adds the RATP. Thus, in 2023, more than 25,700 support services were provided by Régie agents, including 21,200 to accommodation structures.

However, it was in Lyon that the general public decided to denounce the worst anti-homeless system. With more than 13,000 voters, the public prize was awarded to Potpourrilocated at 78, rue de Marseille. Huge terracotta pots were placed in front of the windows of a building to prevent people from taking shelter there.

In Paris, another device in the 19th arrondissement was also pinned down, at 6, allée Darius-Milhaud. In the “The Impostor” category, the prize for the most contradictory device, Peak and peak and no program is the 2024 winner.

The objective of this award ceremony is to raise awareness about the problem of homelessness which today affects 333,000 people in France, including 2,000 children. A figure having doubled over the last decade. Throughout the year, the Abbé Pierre Foundation carries out a map of all the developments that they consider anti-homeless, thanks to contributions from French people denouncing them.