Unused properties to be given to students says Bernini

(ANSA) - ROME, MAY 11 - A census is to be carried out of vacant properties so they can be made available for students in response to the current rent crisis in Italy, University Minister Anna Maria Bernini said on Thursday.
    "There is a problem in finding available properties in the provinces," Bernini told Radio 24.
    "I have asked for the cooperation of the state property administration, municipalities and mayors of metropolitan areas," continued the minister, adding that the government of Premier Giorgia Meloni has already made available 400 million euros for student housing and 500 million euros for scholarships in this year's budget.
    "We are currently guaranteeing for the allocation of an additional 7,500 beds" on top of the existing 40,000, said Bernini.
    Students across Italy have been camping out in front of their universities to protest the exorbitant cost of renting accommodation.
    On Tuesday university rectors called for existing state property to be converted into student accommodation rather than for new residences to be built as an immediate solution to the problem.
    (ANSA).