An open letter, which has been turned into an online petition on change.org, is demanding proper housing for five Palestinian families currently residing in Florence. The family members have been staying since May 2025 at a former school in Via Caccini, a building that has been turned into a CAS emergency reception center.

Addressed to local institutions in Florence and the Tuscany region, the petition has been promoted by the Florentine Catholic charity Opera della Madonnina del Grappa, with its president, Father Vincenzo Rysso. It is supported by a number of local organizations including the association Arci, the local monthly of homeless people Fuori Binario, the intercultural center Anelli Mancanti, and the group Associazione 11 Agosto, among others.

Read AlsoItaly launches EU-funded migrant inclusion project

'Absence of perspectives hinders the well-being of exhausted people'

The appeal was first of all addressed to Florence Prefect Francesca Ferrandino, as well as Mayor Sara Funaro, Welfare Councillor Nicola Paulesu and Tuscany Governor Eugenio Giani.

"Months have gone by since the recognition of the refugee status" for family members, but "the absence of concrete perspectives" regarding stable accommodation is "worsening the discomfort of people who have already endured personal and collective trauma", said the online petition, which has been signed by some 950 people so far.

"A complex situation can't be managed in this way", explained Father Russo.

"These are people who need support, not only for their health, since they have suffered amputations and serious injuries, but also from a psychological and psychiatric standpoint. They can't be housed for a long time in an adapted facility", he noted, referring to the building which was originally designed to host a school.

The priest denounced the "disturbing silence" of the prefecture on the matter.

"There is no thought for the lives destroyed by war, hosting is seen as an extremely bureaucratic, material thing", he added, recalling however that Florence has been home to people such as late activist priests Lorenzo Milani and Giulio Facibeni, as well as the late Giorgio La Pira, a leading advocate of social Catholicism who served as mayor of Florence, among others.

The petition, in particular, is asking authorities to find "stable housing solutions, job opportunities and processes to reach complete autonomy, with more adequate conditions that respect the families' needs."

"The proposal already made to house these families in apartments as part of the SAI (System for Shelter and Integration) project represents a concrete and dignified solution. We don't understand why, despite repeated requests, no clear or alternative answers have been provided," the petition also said.

Read AlsoFight between juvenile migrants breaks out at Florence shelter

Councillor commits to 'enrolling families in SAI project'

Nicola Paulesu, the municipal councillor in charge of Welfare, Hosting, Integration and Housing, responded, saying that the administration is working to find a solution.

"The administration, in constant dialogue with the Prefecture, continues to promote the project to house in apartments the five families of Palestinian refugees hosted in Florence, currently living in the former school in Via Caccini turned into a CAS, which has already been used over the last few years as a hosting facility as part of the SAI System for Shelter and Integration project."

"The main objective is finding lodgings to adequately allow large families to be together, and we are working in cooperation with local associations we know to move beyond the current emergency situation," he continued.

The councillor explained that several associations active in Florence, together with social services and institutions, were working to support the Palestinian families who have been staying in the Tuscan city since May.

The municipal administration has repeatedly met with representatives of the charity Opera Madonnina del Grappa "to evaluate different possibilities and the sustainability of the projects".

"We are all working in this direction, in the interest of the hosted families, with care for their multiple needs, to find housing solutions and paths taking into account social and health needs and the full inclusion of these people", he concluded.

Read AlsoOver 430 unaccompanied migrant minors in Florence