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AUTUMN/WINTER 2024

GenerAzione Casa: co-living to combat student housing shortage

Young non-residents of the city are matched with residents in a cohabitation project launched by the Municipality of Florence and Fondazione Destination Florence, with the support of Auser Laboratorio Casa and Cooperativa Il Girasole

The project came about due to the need to combat the shortage of student housing while promoting mutual support between different generations. With high rental prices and limited availability of housing on the market, this serves as an opportunity for those in need of temporary accommodation, with students put in direct contact with homeowners (people who live alone, families or couples), who have an extra room and want to make it available.

The Municipality has provided a mapping of the potential accommodation among the 364,086 residents in the city, 34,000 of which are over 65 and live alone. With 24,000 homeowners, there is a significant pool of real estate units that could help respond to the ever-increasing demand for accommodation for out-of-town students at more affordable rates.

Participating students who are not residents in Florence would be asked to contribute to the expenses of the house through a regulated monthly rent quota, in a fair and transparent way. Autonomy of the co-habitants would be guaranteed, while also going beyond the simple sharing of spaces, fostering intergenerational relationships that would enrich the exchange between residents and students.

Through the Belong project, aimed at supporting young people who have chosen Florence for study or work, Fondazione Destination Florence plays an important role in coordinating the various

involved subjects and stakeholders and will be responsible for promoting the project. A fundamental role is played by Auser Laboratorio Casa and Cooperativa Il Girasole, which will be responsible for selecting the candidates (guests and hosts) according to economic-income criteria, as well as compatibility assessments to ensure the best match possible. Responsibilities and domestic tasks will be evaluated, with periodic checks and assistance to protect the safety and wellbeing of guests and hosts.

The project also involves the University of Florence to spread the initiative among students and academic staff.