Italy's housing crisis deepens as costs soar in Sicily and Civitavecchia

In Sicily, mortgage payments and rents now absorb more than a third of household income for middle‑income families. The regional report shows Palermo’s mortgage ratio at 32% and Catania’s at 31.5%, while rental costs reach 32.7% of disposable income in Syracuse and over 30% in other major cities. Tourist towns such as Santa Marina Salina record the highest burdens, with rent consuming 77.2% of income. Regional housing authority chief Salvo Russo calls for a comprehensive "Piano Casa" to expand public residential construction, energy‑efficient renovations and social‑housing incentives, citing national funding of €7.4 billion plus EU and regional contributions.

In Civitavecchia, the tenant union Unione Inquilini warns of an acute shortage of public housing, noting that no new or refurbished units are expected in the coming years. The ATER commissioner highlighted delays in completing two PNRR‑funded buildings and the stagnation of several other projects, threatening loss of EU financing. The municipality, citing financial constraints, proposes abandoning the planned Torracce development and selling the site to fund new housing on Via Don Milani, a plan that critics say will take years to materialise. Both regions underscore the widening gap between housing costs and incomes and the need for stronger political action.