Site map

front page > housing

Right to homes and council housing

Published 2006.03.04

Reception Centres
Reception centres are intended as temporary accommodation premises, free of charge, which cater to immediate housing and nutritional needs, as well as, wherever possible, offering the opportunity to learn the Italian language, carry out professional training, enjoy cultural exchange with the Italian population, and provide social and health care and support for foreigners who are unable to provide this support themselves.

Periods of stay in reception centres are strictly limited to the time required to become self-sufficient in food and lodging requirements in the area where the foreigner lives.

Regions, in partnership with local province areas and municipalities, and with volunteer associations and organizations, have reception centres available to house foreign citizens who have valid residence permits [permesso di residenza] for reasons other than tourism, and who are temporarily unable to provide for their own housing and food requirements. The mayor, when emergency situations are demonstrated, can make housing in reception centres available for foreigners not meeting the requirements for entry and residency in the country, within the norms governing the expulsion from the country of the foreigners, in such circumstances.

Relief accommodation
Foreigners with a valid residence permit can benefit from relief accommodation, either collective or private. Such accommodation is made available according to the criteria set out in regional legislation, by communities with larger foreign populations, or by volunteer associations, foundations or organizations, i.e. by other public or private bodies. Such accommodation is mainly boarding accommodation – clean and dignified, requiring a regulated set charge - available to both Italians and foreigners while they wait for definitive regular accommodation.

Council accommodation
Foreigners holding stay permits and those legally resident and registered with the unemployment office or who are regularly employed or self-employed have the right, subject to certain conditions equivalent to those of Italian citizens, to council accommodation, to intermediation services by social welfare agencies made available by each region or local bodies to simplify access to rented property and to concessional credit loans for construction work, restoration work, purchase and rental if it is their ‘first residential property’.