University of Milan students protest housing shortage

Students at the University of Milan (Statale di Milano) have resumed camping protests in the university courtyard to highlight a growing housing crisis and lack of affordable accommodation. The mobilization, led by the collective ‘Cambiare Rotta’, points to a significant shortage of university beds; students claim the university provides only 1,345 beds despite 2,904 being eligible for support.

Protesters are calling for institutional dialogue with the Municipality, the Lombardy Region, and the national government to address the scarcity of student housing. The movement highlights how the high cost of the private rental market—with rooms often exceeding 700 to 850 euros per month—creates a secondary barrier to education based on economic status.

Individual cases have fueled the unrest, including students facing eviction from public residences due to strict merit-based criteria set by the Lombardy Region. These regulations can lead to the loss of both housing and scholarships, leaving many students without viable alternatives in an increasingly expensive Milanese rental market.