Reply #122: The reason for the homelessness in Paris may be different than it is here.

[JDPriestly]

Everyone wants to live in Paris. If you don't want to live there, it's probably only because you never have. (Well, I'll admit
I'm exaggerating a bit.)

When I lived in Paris, the authorities were struggling to limit the density of the population. They required you to have a permit to live in an apartment and limited the number of people living in each apartment. Landlords were pretty careful to comply with these rules. Rents were very high. You virtually had to have connections -- not political necessarily -- but friends with an extra apartment to get a place.

That sounds awful to Americans, but so many people wanted to live in Paris. It is an amazing place.

The restrictions on density are necessary but may be causing a shortage of apartments.