In 2002, public spending to improve housing reached €25 billion, following the pattern of previous years. It represents around 8% of total spending on housing, including investments, finance and interest payments. The number of people claiming housing benefit has risen sharply since 1977, but has recently stabilised. Today, the most dynamic spending is linked to tax exemptions - reduced VAT, the Robien law (offering tax breaks for rental investors) etc. These measures encouraging property ownership remain largely stable, with the causes of the decline in ownership appearing more structural. At the same time, social housing increasingly remains the only option, albeit unsatisfactory, for young people and the poorest members of society.