France’s last remaining foyers, long homes to immigrant workers introduced via bilateral contracts, are now facing demolition. This policy change is one component of a larger rehoming initiative. This landmark demographic shift has had a heavy impact on most of the residents, who have depended on these facilities for refuge from the community erosion and cultural dislocation.
In 2025, work crews started taking down the foyers. This was a major turning point in France’s management of its immigrant labor force. These foyers used to be a crucial lifeline to so many. Now, they are being dismantled to make way for new housing policies that seek to integrate immigrant workers into the rest of society. The choice to demolish these buildings has been criticized in part for not having a plan for where their residents will live.
To reflect this changing reality, the BBC commissioned an immersive assignment called Rehoming France’s Immigrant Workers. This assignment takes approximately 26 minutes to complete. Spanning five neighborhoods, it explores the ramifications of the demolition order and tracks what is in store for residents whose communities are undergoing these dramatic changes. It explores the stories of the first people to face eviction and the smart policy solutions that would keep them housed.
Available on the BBC website for over a year, the assignment provides valuable insights into the challenges faced by immigrant workers during this rehoming process. Beyond the advocacy angle, it’s honest. It truly reflects their needs. Further, it points to promising models of support that can function as an alternative to the foyers. The BBC’s coverage offers an important perspective on a pressing social issue, emphasizing the importance of addressing housing insecurity among vulnerable populations.
For anyone who might want to view the whole assignment, it is available at BBC – Rehoming France’s Immigrant Workers. A related photo from the creation of the assignment is viewable at this link.
