by InTrieste
The regional government of Friuli Venezia Giulia has approved a €10 million funding package aimed at restoring approximately 250 vacant public housing units across the region in 2026, officials announced this week.
The allocation, approved by the regional cabinet, represents an increase of more than €600,000 compared with last year’s funding and is part of a broader effort to expand the availability of subsidized housing amid growing demand from low- and moderate-income households.
According to regional authorities, the funding will be distributed among the region’s four public housing agencies, known as Ater. The largest share, approximately €5 million, will go to Ater Trieste to renovate 133 apartments. Ater Udine will receive €2.1 million for 42 units, while Ater Gorizia will be allocated €1.9 million for 50 apartments. Ater Pordenone is set to receive €1 million to restore 23 units.
The program focuses primarily on bringing existing vacant apartments back into service rather than constructing new housing, a strategy regional officials say offers a faster response to housing needs.
Cristina Amirante, the regional councillor for infrastructure and territorial planning, said the initiative is intended to return currently unusable apartments to the public housing system and make them available to applicants on Ater waiting lists.
Regional officials said the measure forms part of a larger housing investment strategy pursued in recent years. According to the administration, approximately €270 million has been committed to new construction projects and the rehabilitation of public housing assets, in addition to more than €45 million allocated over the past three years for routine apartment restoration programs.
The announcement comes as several housing projects financed through Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) and complementary national funds approach completion. Authorities expect additional renovated apartments to become available across the region over the coming months.
Earlier this week, 22 restored public housing units were delivered in Gorizia through projects supported by regional and national funding, officials said.
The regional government has also recently approved a new housing law and updated Ater ranking systems in the region’s four provincial territories. Officials say the changes are intended to facilitate the assignment of apartments as newly renovated units become available through late 2026 and early 2027.
Housing affordability has become an increasingly prominent issue across Italy, with regional administrations seeking ways to expand access to subsidized accommodation while addressing aging public housing stock. In Friuli Venezia Giulia, officials say the latest funding package is designed to accelerate the recovery of existing units and increase the number of homes available to eligible families.
