Translated automatically by AI from the Italian original.
MESSINA – A turning point in the Municipality of Messina’s housing policy. The Budget Committee at Palazzo Zanca has approved a rewrite of the rules for allocating public housing (ERP). The text, revised after the Constitutional Court ruled the so-called “historic residency” requirement unlawful, will now go before the Municipal council for a final vote.
The new regulatory framework aims to eliminate discriminatory criteria linked to long-term residence, focusing instead on the actual socio-economic hardship of applicants.
Calafiore: “Reward genuine need, not length of residency”
The approach taken by the municipal administration was explained by the member of the municipal executive responsible for social services, Alessandra Calafiore:
“The new rules introduce a fundamental principle: access to public housing must reward genuine need, not length of residency.”
— Alessandra Calafiore, member of the municipal executive responsible for social services, Municipality of Messina
Approved amendments: debt repayment over 120 months
During the committee’s work, amendments tabled by the Scurria Sindaco council group were approved unanimously, designed to help households in no-fault arrears.
The main changes to debt positions are:
- Extended repayment plans: the option to repay outstanding debts to the Municipality in instalments is extended from the original 48 months to a maximum of 120 monthly payments.
- Reduced upfront payment: the initial amount due on signing the plan is halved from 20% to 10% of the total owed.
The administration and the council aim to encourage regularisation of outstanding financial positions by making payments affordable for those entitled.
Process and public notice: no immediate allocations
After the final approval by the council and the formal entry into force of the rules, the Municipality will publish a 30-day public notice for updating data and the new ranking lists. The administration clarifies that no direct housing allocations will be made during this initial technical phase.
