The project is part of the City of Turin’s strategy to strengthen the local inclusion system, placing the issue of housing at the centre of policies for integration and territorial cohesion.

The project is aimed at people who have been granted international protection and have left the Reception and Integration System (SAI) no more than 12 months ago, who often encounter significant obstacles in finding stable and sustainable housing solutions. Economic, bureaucratic and cultural difficulties make access to the property market complex, even for those who have already embarked on positive paths of social and professional integration.

“AbitaTO” aims to address these critical issues with a comprehensive 24-month programme, supported by funding of over €980,000 through the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund 2021-2027 (Specific Objective 1 “Asylum”, Measure 1.b, Area 1.d, Intervention f) “Promotion of the social and economic autonomy of refugees”, promoted by the Ministry of the Interior and co-financed by the European Union.

To achieve this, several lines of action are planned: strengthening information, guidance and support services, with greater coordination with the SAI network and the activation of dedicated access points; experimenting with housing solutions through housing and rent subsidies, mediation and support to activate rental contracts; individual and group financial education and housing support courses; community matching activities to foster links between Turin citizens and refugees and promote experiences of solidarity and integration; awareness-raising and public communication campaigns to combat stereotypes and mistrust; training initiatives, meetings and local activities aimed at spreading a culture of hospitality and involving institutions, citizens and property owners; creation of a shared database to monitor housing opportunities, analysis of local market trends to facilitate the matching of supply and demand.

The initiative is led by the City of Turin, through its Foreigners and Social Inclusion Promotion Service, together with a consolidated network of third sector partners who have been active for years in the fields of reception, intercultural mediation and inclusion: A.M.M.I. – Multiethnic Association of Intercultural Mediators, BABEL Cooperativa Sociale Onlus, C.I.A.C. Onlus ets – Centre for Immigration, Asylum and International Cooperation, C.I.C.S.E.N.E., C.S.D. – Synodal Commission for Diaconia ets – Inclusion Services, ESSERCI s.c.s., F.I.E.R.I. – International and European Forum for Research on Immigration, MOSAICO – Actions for Refugees, PROGETTO TENDA s.c.s. and ANMC – National Association of Cinema Museums.

As part of the project, FIERI will be responsible for the evaluation and development of the Abitare Observatory.

The press release announcing the launch of the project can be found at this link