Housing crisis intensifies across Italy and Europe amid rising costs

European and Italian citizens are facing significant economic pressure due to the rising cost of living, particularly regarding housing and essential utilities. In Italy, the cost of living has risen sharply over the last decade, with food, gas, and electricity prices seeing substantial increases. This has led to a growing housing crisis where rising rents are causing severe financial strain for students and workers. In regions like Marche, housing costs can consume up to 40% of family income, contributing to an increase in evictions due to non-payment.

Irene Tinagli, chair of the European Parliament’s Special Committee on the Housing Crisis, has suggested that regulating rent increases and restricting short-term holiday rentals could provide immediate relief for tenants. She noted that residential property is increasingly being treated as a financial asset by investors, often leading to evictions or sharp rent hikes. While structural solutions like increasing the supply of affordable homes are necessary for the long term, Tinagli emphasized the need for immediate tools such as the reprogramming of cohesion funds and more flexible state-aid rules to support social housing projects.