Italian town hopes to attract new residents by offering free rent
A town in southern Italy has joined the ranks of communities attempting to boost their dwindling populations with novel approaches.
After Cammarata, Zungoli and Mussomeli gave away homes for one euro or less, the small town of Teora in the Campania region is aiming to lure families to move in by offering to pay their rent.
The town said it will pay newcomers €150 per month towards the cost of renting a house for two years, or a €5,000 lump sum to buy one. It is also offering to waive local taxes and school meal fees.
However, buyers have to commit to live in the town for at least three years. They also need to have at least one child during the time of application.
“I don’t believe in selling empty houses for €1, that doesn’t incentivise people to stay in town,” Teora’s mayor Stefano Farina told CNN.
“They just come a few months a year as holidaymakers. That’s not the solution. But taking up residency and enrolling kids at the local school, that does breathe new life.”
Farina said Teora’s population declined significantly after an earthquake in 1980 led many young people to flee the commune.
The 1980 Irpinia earthquake destroyed Teora along with other towns, including Lioni and Conza di Campania.
“Two babies are born [in Teora] each year versus 20 elders who die,” he said. “We’re down to barely 1,500 residents.
“I want to invert this negative trend … New families will be the building blocks of our shrinking community, so we encourage those with more kids to apply.”
According to CNN, there are nearly 100 empty buildings available.
Those interested in the offer can visit the town’s website and email the local government for more information.