Over 70 migrants sleeping rough in a park in Saluzzo, in Italy's northern region Piedmont, prompted a community meeting on July 17. Authorities and local organizations discussed immediate support measures and possible long-term housing solutions.
A Tavolo Sociale, or community meeting, was held on the morning of July 17 at the prefect's office to address the situation of over 70 African migrants sleeping rough in Gullino Park, in Saluzzo -- a town in the province of Cuneo, Piedmont. The migrants are seeking seasonal fruit-picking work.
The meeting was called by Prefect Mariano Savastano. It included representatives from the government, as well as volunteer and tertiary sector entities, including Saluzzo Mayor Franco Demaria, Caritas, the Red Cross, the Distretto del Cibo della Frutta, and the Monviso Solidale consortium.
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Measures to be enacted immediately
The prefect said that those sleeping rough in the park were migrants without a work contract or offer, and thus excluded from reception channels established by Memoranda of Understanding and PNRR projects.
"This is a social issue and cannot be dealt with solely through security forces," he said. Among the measures that will be enacted immediately are the opening of public bathrooms in critical hours with monitoring and daily cleaning provided by the town council, the strengthening of checks in order to send anyone with a contract to available facilities, and an increase in capacity from 27 to 45 places provided by Caritas through the installation of two containers.
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Efforts by Saluzzo town council
The possibility of reactivating a facility used during the winter for the homeless in Savigliano is also being assessed. Mayor Demaria also proposed an early opening of shared dorms, which had been slated for August 4.
Over the medium term, there is discussion on the possible creation of an area properly equipped and that could act as an alternative to the park, with possible support from bank foundations and the adoption of regulations against sleeping rough.
The Saluzzo town council has said that it is willing to host half the people currently in the park, calling on nearby municipalities to take charge of the other half. The prefect will assess this proposal and urge the drafting of an agreement.