Abstract

In Italy more and more families, despite earnings well above the level that would qualify them for access to subsidized housing, cannot afford to pay rents or buy houses at market prices. This is an issue common to all of Europe, where social housing is viewed with growing interest as the right instrument to address this problem. The setting up of an integrated system of real estate funds for social housing, which is taking place in Italy, provides an innovative approach in order to attract private investors. The "Fondo Investimenti per l'Abitare", with 2 billions euro subscribed, is the cornerstone of such a system; based on its experience so far it is possible to identify a few areas for improvement: these concern mostly the fiscal framework for social housing and the behaviour of the main actors of social housing - among which primarily Cities and Regions - in order to guarantee a certain and possibly fast approval track for social housing projects.