In Piedmont, descendants of Istrian exiles will now be eligible for public housing built for their grandparents, a decision made for the first time in Italy.
In a groundbreaking move, the Piedmont region of Italy has announced that the grandchildren of Istrian exiles will be able to apply for public housing designated for their ancestors. This new initiative comes from the Agency for Territorial Housing (Atc) under the leadership of President Alberto Cirio, a member of the Forza Italia party. The policy allows access to eight housing units located in the Santa Caterina village in Lucento, Turin, acknowledging the plight of families who fled from Tito's communist forces after World War II.
This policy changes the previous restriction that limited housing allocations to those who directly experienced the exodus. As explained by Maurizio Marrone, the regional councilor for housing, this move aims to rectify the historical injustices faced by Italians from the Eastern border who chose exile to escape persecution during Tito's regime and the tragic foibe massacres. Furthermore, it recognizes the descendants' connection to this historical context, signaling a broader effort to address past grievances.
The decision reflects a significant shift in Italy's approach to historical injustices related to World War II, particularly concerning the Italian community affected by the Yugoslav regime. By formally acknowledging the descendants' rights, this policy may also influence similar initiatives across other regions in Italy, fostering a sense of social justice and reconciliation for the descendants of those who lived through such traumatic events.
