Catholic Jubilee: For some, the Pope’s big Holy Year only aggravates housing crisis as overtourism pushes out Romans
NICOLE WINFIELD and ISAIA MONTELIONE, of Associated Press, report from Rome as the city prepares to host a Catholic Jubilee year…
Pope asks church of Rome to help address housing crisis ahead of Holy Year in 2025
Rome, Italy AP Pope Francis on Friday called on the diocese of Rome to respond to a growing housing crisis in the Eternal City, wading into the debate about rising rental prices that has only grown more acute with Holy Year celebrations in 2025. Francis has written to the city’s church leaders and religious order […]
On A Mission: “My faith has to ride for justice” – Brazil’s Catholic priests mediate fight over land rights
In Brazil, the forced removal of vulnerable people from privately owned land has created a role for Catholic priests as mediators between landowners and beleaguered communities. CHLOË-ARIZONA FODOR, who worked on expanding Paraná’s mediation program to the national level, reports on their work…
Pressure grows in Lisbon for referendum to tackle holiday rentals boom
Lisbon, Portugal Reuters Rosa Santos has lived in Lisbon’s historic neighbourhood of Castelo for decades but a boom in holiday rentals has made her feel like she does not belong. Plans for a housing referendum are giving her a glimmer of hope. “Lisbon has stopped being a city and became an amusement park,” 60-year-old Santos […]
Housing crisis in Spain’s cities drives rise in homelessness as tourism booms
Madrid, Spain Reuters Francisco Carrillo sobbed with relief as he lay on the bed in his new apartment in Madrid provided by a charity after three years of sleeping rough in the backroom of a theatre. The 62-year-old pensioner found he couldn’t afford rental prices in the capital when he moved from Jaen in southern […]
Tent-dwelling migrants join protest over Portugal’s housing prices
Lisbon, Portugal Reuters Marcia Leandro moved to Portugal from Brazil six months ago with a goal: to train as a chef. But Portugal’s housing crisis curbed her dreams and forced her to live in a tent. Leandro, 43, and Andreia Costa, her neighbour in an improvised tent camp on an empty plot on the outskirts […]
Young Portuguese defer dreams as housing crisis bites
Lisbon Reuters When Maria Lopes moved to Lisbon from the northern Portuguese city of Tondela, her goals were straightforward: study, find a job, get a place of her own. But a decade on, she still lives in a tiny, rented room – one of tens of thousands of young Portuguese hit by a housing crisis […]
“Land rich and cash poor”: In Southern California, Black churches are using their land to build housing for homeless people
As Southern California’s housing crisis continues to fuel homelessness across the region, a number of churches, particularly Black congregations, are stepping up to build affordable housing on their church land. ALEJANDRA MOLINO, of Religion News Service, reports…
Millions in India face eviction amid coronavirus recovery push
Thomson Reuters Foundation Thousands of people were evicted across India during lockdowns to contain the coronavirus pandemic, with millions more at risk of being uprooted as authorities push infrastructure projects to spur economic growth, housing rights campaigners said. At least 20,000 people were evicted from their homes between 16th March and 31st July, despite court […]
Tiny homes seen as big solution to New Zealand housing crisis
Bangkok, Thailand Thomson Reuters Foundation A petition calling for rules on small houses and mobile homes to be eased was submitted to New Zealand’s parliament on Tuesday, as residents piled pressure on the government to address a chronic shortage in affordable housing. The country has the highest rate of homelessness among the 36 wealthy nations […]