In Italy there is no provision in the constitutional dictum that enshrines the right to housing as a social right expressly recognized. Constitutional jurisprudence began to outline the contours of this right in the early 1980s, but always placed it in a position serving for the affirmation of other rights related to it.

The European Committee of Social Rights examined, under the reporting system of the Charter, the right to housing under Articles 16 and 31 in 2019 and published its conclusions in March 2020. Unfortunately, the conclusions did not have the desired impact due to the health crisis but they remain relevant precisely to understand the situation preceding the crisis. 

The Committee’s conclusions reflect a relatively low degree of compliance with the provisions of Article 31.

The European Court of Human Rights unanimously held that there had been a violation of Article 8 (right to respect for private and family life and the home), and a violation of Article 13 (right to an effective remedy) in the case of Hirtu and others v. France (no. 24720/13).

The Press Release, issued on May 14 2020, reads:

"The case concerned the clearance of an unauthorised encampment where the applicants, who are of Roma origin, had been living for six months.

by Sonia Olea Ferreras

Cáritas Spain