Housing emergency: the government's plan to clear occupied properties
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has recently announced a major action plan to combat the phenomenon of illegal property occupations in Italy. According to data released by Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, approximately 6,000 apartments that were illegally occupied have been cleared, returning them to their rightful owners or public housing management entities.
The main objective of this initiative is to restore legality in the housing sector and ensure that social housing is correctly assigned to those who are truly entitled to it. The government aims to strengthen controls and expedite eviction procedures, seeking to resolve situations of decay that often affect the outskirts of large Italian cities.
In parallel with the fight against occupations, the Ministry is evaluating new strategies to support the real estate market in the most isolated areas of the country. One of the most discussed proposals concerns the possible elimination of the IMU, the municipal property tax, for owners of homes located in inland areas and small municipalities. This measure aims to counter the depopulation of villages and incentivize the recovery of existing building stock.
The tax exemption proposal aims to make living outside of large urban centers, where the cost of living is often more affordable, more attractive. Experts emphasize that, if approved, this initiative could encourage the return of many families and young professionals to territories that have suffered a progressive loss of residents in recent years.
The government's plan is part of a broader debate on the management of national real estate assets. While eviction operations continue in various regions, the Ministry continues to engage with local authorities to define the technical details of the tax reform, with the hope of giving new impetus to the housing sector by the end of the year.