Sharing spaces and services to cut housing costs and foster new forms of communal living. San Marino has now put the rules for co-housing in writing, with a delegated decree introducing incentives, obligations and controls for collaborative housing projects.
The measure was presented during a public meeting at the Sala Montelupo in Domagnano, organised by the Secretariat of State for Territory.
Secretary of State Matteo Ciacci outlined the new rules. Projects will need to include at least three housing units and can be carried out by public or private bodies, or through partnerships between the two.
The aim is to make rents more affordable for young people and families, while also offering housing solutions that support independence among the elderly and help combat social isolation.
Initiatives with genuine social purposes will benefit from a 50% reduction in concession and agreement-related fees. Operators will undergo annual inspections, with penalties imposed in cases of non-compliance.
Shared spaces must retain their communal function for at least twenty years, while “atypical” occupants will not be allowed to register residency in housing units designated for co-housing.
The evening also featured presentations of two Italian case studies, from Fidenza and San Giorgio di Ferrara, showcasing how shared living spaces can foster relationships among residents, encourage cooperation and provide mutual support.
