Milan, February 15 – The City of Milan, in collaboration with Aler Milano, is poised to assign a total of 2,321 public housing units in 2026. This marks an increase of approximately 220 units compared to 2025, according to the 2026 housing services plan approved by the city council’s executive board and slated for final approval by the City Council today.
Increased Housing Supply for Milan Residents
The plan outlines the provision of 2,047 units (897 owned by the municipality and 1,150 by Aler Milano) for “public housing services.” These are typically allocated to individuals with an ISEE (Equivalent Economic Situation Indicator) of up to 16,000 euros. Additionally, 274 units (224 municipal and 50 from Aler) are designated for “transitional housing services,” offering temporary accommodation for individuals or families facing housing emergencies, such as evictions.
Focus on Low-Income Families and Public Debate
A key point of discussion for the City Council will likely be the allocation of housing for extremely low-income families, defined as those with an ISEE of up to 3,000 euros. The current plan reserves 20 percent of the annual housing supply from the Municipality and Aler for this group. Federico Bottelli, a Democratic Party councilor, has advocated for increasing this threshold to 40 percent, a level achieved last year.
However, raising this threshold would necessitate a greater financial commitment from Palazzo Marino, with an estimated annual cost of approximately 1,850 euros per low-income household, requiring additional funds from the municipal budget.
Support for Law Enforcement and Ongoing Initiatives
Another aspect under review is the 10 percent allocation of housing units for law enforcement personnel. Fabio Bottero, the Councillor for Public Residential Building, stated, “We are talking about percentages that can be reviewed and improved thanks to the contribution of the City Council,” further confirming the commitment to “promote experimental projects to support rent maintenance.”
The City of Milan manages approximately 28,000 public housing units through the company Mm, while Aler Milano oversees around 32,000. The number of illegal occupations in municipal housing has significantly decreased over the years, falling by about 70 percent from 1,619 in 2015 to 459 in 2025.
Challenges in Housing Allocation and Future Outlook
Despite efforts to clear occupied units, some public housing units remain vacant due to various reasons, including changes in applicants’ income conditions between the application and assignment stages. In 2025, 1,485 units were successfully contracted.
The city’s commitment to increasing public housing availability and addressing the needs of its most vulnerable residents underscores a proactive approach to urban welfare. The impending City Council vote will finalize these critical allocations, shaping the future of public housing in Milan.
Source: milano.corriere.it
