Social Emergencies in the Budget Policy: A Look at 47.21

“Social emergency” is a recent category of public action and it has become institutionalised on the political agenda during the last twenty years. A study of the budgets consecrated by the State to such policies and facilities allows one to identify its developments, ambiguities and character in certain aspects central to today’s social policies. Brought particularly into emphasis with the creation of the “Social emergency fund” (the “FUS”) during the winter of 1997-8, “social emergency” is above all aimed to take charge of the homeless (the “SDF”)3. Allowing for substantial innovations and ensuring a real reaction in public policies, “social emergency” is a characteristic element of the new political and administrative ambitions in the fight against exclusions – but it still remains highly problematical.