Milan

1. Hidden Canals: Milan is often overshadowed by its more famous canal systems in cities like Venice. However, it has a network of navigable canals, known as the Navigli, which were historically used for trade and transportation. Today, these canals are lined with trendy cafes, art galleries, and boutiques, offering a unique atmosphere that many locals cherish. 2. The Original Aperitivo Culture: While many cities in Italy have embraced the concept of "aperitivo," Milan is considered the birthplace of this tradition. The city has a rich history of socializing over pre-dinner drinks and snacks, and the aperitivo scene features a range of local specialties, making it a cultural experience that reflects the city's culinary diversity. 3. Milan's Literary Legacy: Beyond its fashion and design fame, Milan has a strong literary heritage. It is home to the “Casa Manzoni,” the former residence of the celebrated author Alessandro Manzoni, who wrote the iconic novel "The Betrothed." The house now serves as a museum, showcasing Manzoni’s life and works, and revealing a side of Milan that literature enthusiasts might appreciate.

In Milan, the housing market is dynamic, with a notable increase in rental demand. Approximately 4% more rental properties were sought in 2024, driven by high overall demand in Italy. As for home ownership versus renting, about 75% of Italian households own their homes, but specific figures for Milan are not readily available. However, it is known that the city has a robust rental sector. The median price per square meter to buy an apartment in Milan is around 5,456 euros. Rental prices have increased moderately, with a rise of about 1.7% in 2024. Publicly owned housing plays a significant role, with around 75,000 units available, roughly 11.5% of the total housing stock. Public housing is often used interchangeably with social housing, but they can differ in terms of management and availability. Social housing is typically reserved for low-income families and is often managed through agreements with controlled rents. In Milan, social housing is a component of the broader public housing sector, focused on providing affordable housing to those in need. The city's housing policies aim to balance public welfare with private investment, often through mixed-use developments that include both market-rate and social housing units.

Milan faces a deepening housing crisis marked by a rapid rise in both property prices and rents outpacing local income growth nearly threefold since 2015. The average purchase price for housing is now around 5,500 euros per square meter, with rents in city center locations reaching approximately 1,500 euros per month for a standard two-room apartment. Despite a vibrant real estate market, these high prices have led to a growing affordability gap, pushing many low- and middle-income residents, especially younger people and workers without family financial support, out of the market. This crisis is not only driven by increased demand but also by a supply shortage and stalled new development projects, particularly outside central zones. While nearly 80% of Milan’s housing stock is occupied, about 20% remains vacant, and public housing only accounts for about 8% of tenure, with a significant number of units in poor condition or awaiting renovation. The tight conditions have contributed to longer waiting lists for public housing and, in extreme cases, increased risk of evictions. The groups most affected include low-income families, young adults, students, and new arrivals to the city who do not already have property or access to family help. Many face the risk of being forced to leave Milan due to unaffordable housing costs, further exacerbating social and economic inequalities in the city.

The Milan city administration addresses affordable and sustainable housing through a set of targeted policies and new planning requirements. The city’s 2023–2025 Three-Year Housing Plan focuses on expanding public and social housing services, with an emphasis on affordability and energy efficiency. Milan’s masterplan mandates that 40% of the surface area in new residential developments larger than 10,000 square meters must be allocated to affordable housing, of which at least half is for rent. This is achieved through public-private partnerships, where developers receive urban planning benefits in exchange for offering homes at controlled prices and rents. Concrete programs include the Milano 2035 Youth Housing Coalition, which provides affordable living solutions—including co-housing and temporary accommodations—for students and young workers aged 18 to 35. The city also supports renovation and energy efficiency upgrades for existing housing stock and has launched initiatives to create 600 affordable student beds and deliver 500 new dwellings with capped rents through the C40 Reinventing Cities programme. Cooperative housing is promoted through partnerships with organizations like CCL, facilitating new social housing developments within major urban regeneration projects such as the Porta Romana ex-railway area. Sustainability is further reflected in projects aiming for zero-carbon housing by 2050, with new builds designed for high energy standards and renewable energy use. These measures collectively aim to increase Milan’s supply of affordable, sustainable housing while supporting vulnerable populations and fostering social inclusion.

In Milan, housing cooperatives play a crucial role in providing affordable housing options. Over 80 cooperatives affiliated with Legacoop Lombardia manage approximately 18,500 units, with around 8,000 in Milan itself. These cooperatives offer rents significantly below market rates, promoting social inclusion and community development. The city actively supports cooperative housing through partnerships with organizations like the Consorzio Cooperative Lavoratori, which has built about 15,000 units. Milan's housing policies include public-private collaborations to offer affordable housing, with incentives for developers to provide controlled rents. The city's masterplan requires new developments to dedicate a portion of their space to affordable housing, with at least half for rent. However, specific figures on the share of cooperative housing in Milan's total housing stock are not detailed, but it is clear that these cooperatives are a vital component of the city's strategy to address affordability challenges.