Delay and inadequacy of the rent fund for out-of-town students: UDU denounces the situation

L'Union of University Students (UDU) reports the enormous delay in the disbursement of the rent fund for out-of-town students. The resources for the year 2023 have just been distributed by the Ministry of Universities and will reach eligible students in February, a year late with respect to requests.

The student union also contests the inadequacy of the allocation, given the housing emergency that is affecting Italian university cities. Simone Agutoli, head of housing policies for UDU, states:

“Since the beginning of 2023 we have asked Minister Bernini to speed up the disbursement of the rent fund, but her response has been a cumbersome and endless process. The result is that students will receive financial support with a one-year delay, when we have already had to face huge rent expenses.”

The allocation of 4 million euros for the entire national territory is totally insufficient. In the face of 830 thousand out-of-town students, less than 2% will receive a contribution, equal to 279 euros per year, or 23€ per month. A paltry sum, since on average 350 euros per month are paid for rent, to which condominium fees and bills must be added.

The territorial disparities are evident:

In Milan, where the tent protest began, only 260 students will be helped with 73 thousand euros.
In Bologna there will be 142 beneficiaries and not even 40 thousand euros will arrive.
In Rome, 571 students will receive support.
In Naples 184.
In Venice we stop at 66.
Things are better in Turin with 2.309 students receiving a total of 644 thousand euros.
Cosenza, Bari and Catania also have prices above 200 thousand euros.
UDU attacks:

“In the face of the housing emergency, the resources arriving on the territory are very few and are disbursed with an unacceptable delay. Minister Bernini must clarify the reasons for this slowness and recognize the inadequacy of the resources allocated. We are tired of a minister who only makes announcements and promises. The result is clear for all to see: the Government has betrayed students and the right to education.”

In the 2024 Budget Law, UDU had presented a series of amendments to increase the out-of-town rental fund to 50 million euros. A necessary intervention, if we consider that France allocates 1,4 billion euros to this item. However, the Government expressed a negative opinion, while Minister Bernini ignored the requests for discussion made by UDU.

Students are now asking for a change of pace: it is essential to increase the rent fund and speed up the disbursement procedures for the new year.

The UDU concludes:

"We can no longer accept that the right to education is denied due to a policy that is inattentive to the needs of students. A concrete commitment is needed to combat the housing emergency and guarantee everyone the right to a dignified life during their university career."