collapsed ceilings
In recent weeks, a wave of student protests spread across Italy, starting in Milan and quickly echoing through universities nationwide. Campuses buzzed with tents and demonstrations as students voiced a growing complaint against soaring rental prices. From Rome to Bologna, and from Cagliari to Padua, and in cities like Perugia, Venice, Florence, and Bari, the message remained consistent: the cost of housing was squeezing student life and threatening their access to higher education. In time, the movement gathered momentum, uniting students under a single demand for structural change in how housing is funded and regulated for the student population.
Emerging around the banner Change the Course, or I will change the Rotta, and aligned with broader strands of Italian extra-parliamentary left activism, the demonstrators highlighted a market they described as failing to guarantee the right to study. They called for reforms that would set rents at fair levels, increase government funding for student housing, and expand aid for the most vulnerable students. The core critique centered on a rental system that increasingly excluded those pursuing higher education, arguing that housing costs were becoming a barrier to academic opportunity. [citation: Italian media reports]
“The housing issue has always existed, but conditions have worsened sharply over the past year due to inflation and the diversion of funds toward other priorities,” stated Sara Frioni, a 20-year-old political science student at La Sapienza in Rome. “In Rome, shared rooms can demand up to 400 euros monthly, while single rooms may run 500 to 600 euros. In Milan, some apartments reach 900 euros for a modest space. Government housing for students is nearly impossible to obtain,” Frioni elaborated. [citation: Italian media reports]
the broke ceilings
The discontent touches more than money. The student world has long watched as facilities crumble. In some universities, essential spaces are deteriorating, and the state’s attention seems stretched thin. Last October, the University of Cagliari on the island of Sardinia reported a collapse of a meeting room ceiling. At La Sapienza in Rome, one of the country’s largest university campuses, a study room was recently plastered, underscoring a broader trend of aging infrastructure that fails to meet current needs. [citation: Italian media reports]
From this perspective, the protests are not simply about rents; they are about a broader sense that the system is not keeping pace with the demands of today’s students. The movement suggests that a government plan could be expanded to include measures such as targeted student housing subsidies, rent controls, and enhanced public funding for dormitories. Some advocates also point to alternative funding streams, proposing that resources from entities connected to the defense sector or other industries could support university housing initiatives. [citation: Italian media reports]
more momentum
The initial wave began with a small group—about 40 students—who chose to stay by La Sapienza and Tor Vergata universities, as well as in front of the Ministry of Education in Rome, spending days and nights awaiting responses. Soon, other young people joined in, and banners appeared in multiple cities bearing the message “No home, no future.” The demonstrations multiplied, drawing broader attention to the housing barrier and raising questions about how the state should respond to the students’ needs. [citation: Italian media reports]
By Thursday, the government under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced a plan to unlock 660 million euros for new dormitories and student housing projects. The announcement provided relief for some students in certain cities, offering a temporary cushion while longer-term fixes are discussed. Yet, observers warn that not all students will benefit equally, and persistent disparities in housing access remain a central concern for many campuses across the country. [citation: Italian media reports]
The situation in Italy is not isolated. Across North America, students frequently confront tight housing markets and rising rents, prompting similar debates around affordable housing policies, university subsidies, and the role of government in supporting students. The current Italian movement is watched closely by advocates worldwide who seek to understand how policies can be designed to stabilize housing costs for students, protect the right to education, and sustain campuses as vibrant centers of learning and research. [citation: Italian media reports]