Indicator history

All different nationalities of migrant groups in Italy suffer of serious problem in accessing housing. Different case studies have tested discrimination in access to housing for migrant citizens. Researchers of the CAPP conducted research on the web, sending 3,000 emails with different false identities to landlords that had advertised a flat for rent. 62% of the mails “sent by Italians” received a positive answer, also if the working conditions of the potential lodger had not been specified. For non Italians the percentage of replies and follow ups was 41%. Mails “from migrants with an Arab name” had the lowest chances of getting a rental contract. EU migrants, from Eastern Europe seem to experience less discrimination as 49.5% received a reply. In the regions of northern Italy only one landlord out of four gave a positive reply to a male Arab name, while 70% positive replies were received to mails sent with an Italian male name. The unequal situation of people from ethnic minority backgrounds in Italy, has become even worse with the provisions of the Italian security package related to housing. It has become harder for immigrants to rent a house, as landlords risk jail if tenants do not have a permit to stay and a new requirement relating to housing has been added in order for migrants to be granted family reunification. The housing situation of Roma and Sinti people has been highly criticised for years as they live segregated in camps frequently located far away from the city centres, often close to motorways or railways, to industrial areas, or even on former waste dump sites. A research carried out by the NGO COSPE for FRA has confirmed that they live in substandard conditions in segregated structures, often overcrowded lacking in services and basic infrastructure. Notwithstanding national and international appeals, the approach of the national government45 regarding forced evictions continued in 2009. The census of inhabitants of camps carried out in some regions in 2008 and in 2009 has also been conducted in camps in other regions, for instance in Veneto. The "Nomad Plan"in force in Rome foresee forced evictions of thousands of Roma; most (but not all) of them will be resettled in new or expanded camps on the outskirts of Rome. Also in Milan, eviction will continue until at least December 2010.

Source:

ENAR SHADOW REPORT 2009/2010 - Racism and Discrimination in Italy by Laura Di Pasquale - http://cms.horus.be/files/99935/MediaArchive/Italy.pdf