Pandemic Causes an Increase in Evictions, Rent & Housing Problems in Tuscany

Moving house

It has been reported that there are 175,000 families experiencing a housing crisis in Tuscany. This includes issues with paying rent and those who are facing eviction.

There is a growing number of eviction requests, with Florence reporting 50 eviction orders per week, followed by Pisa, 23, and Livorno, 22. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been 5,500 evictions throughout the Tuscan region. This data comes from tenant unions as well as from a press conference with the participation of trade unions: CGIL, CISL and UIL.

From Sept. 2021 to Feb. 2022, 3,471 Tuscans approached the local branches of the tenants’ union. 1,631 citizens who asked for help and assistance were foreign, which makes up 47% of those who reached out. 53% of the group were Italians. 

In terms of monthly rent payments, 11% of this group pay between 500 to 600 euros per month, 28% pay 600 to 700 euros, 42% pay 700 to 800 euros and 19% pay over 800 euros for rent. For 89% of these people, paying for rent on its own accounts for over 45% of their income. 

18% also pay some of what they owe under the table. 90% are waiting and hoping to receive rent control housing, which has lower costs.

This new data also concerns the tenants of public housing where rent is much lower than the regular market. Throughout 2021 and the first couple months of 2022, debts for rent and building expenses are increasing, averaging over 12% compared to the usual 4% of past years.Several solutions have been proposed. According to a spokesperson, there should be a single governing body that handles this issue and to make available all 3,500 empty public housing units. (marissa conter)