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The notion of the loss of autonomy— also called “dependency”—of elderly people, appeared in public debate in France at the end of the 1970s. It was the origin of various erratic and fragmented policies. However, the creation of the governmental fund allowance called APA in 2000, and the setting up of the French Solidarity Allowance Fund in 2004 contributed to the beginning of solutions to this problem of dependency. Yet, the weak point of special housing for dependent senior citizens by public institutions remains. In the private sector, there is a very active network of voluntary, charitable associations covering the basic needs. But experts forecast a more strained situation from 2030 onwards. The financing requirements, though, should be accessible, considering that the country now spends more than 715 billion euros for the entire social protection of its national citizens, i.e. twenty times more than for the dependency care.