Currently there are nearly 51 squat-occupied spaces throughout Rome, usually taking place in previously abandoned buildings, now inhabited by communities of both Italians and immigrants who cannot afford renting a house.
Living in a residence to be occupied is an offense: Article 633 of the Penal Code calls it an "invasion of land or buildings." Everything is in deciding whether to stop at this fact, or dig deep into motivations. In the Capital of evictions for rent arrears (4,700 last year alone), the higher rents and property speculation, the occupation as dwellings are a mirror of social unrest and economic institutions is not adequate responses.
From San Lorenzo to Capannelle, from Collatina to Via Salaria, the property "taken into management" by the Romans are so many squatters: 51, to be precise. That means a roof for 2,500 families and about 6 000 people. Nothing that surprising: the struggle for housing rights Roma it's in the DNA. And the seedling sprouted in the wake of the great battles settantottine has become a tree with roots strong and deep. But the occupation of 2012 are very different from those of the seventies and eighties. For starters you do not take up more public housing, but private buildings. Or public, if not intended for residential use. "