Cohousing, Soroptimist Club Padova donates part of the furniture of three accommodations

The Municipality of Padua has long been committed to finding solutions to the housing emergency that also affects our city with particular attention to the vulnerable groups of the population. Among these initiatives is the project “Cohabiting for autonomy” which aims to promote independent living paths for young adults who have just come of age and are leaving residential community reception, and who, upon reaching adulthood, must independently face their life path without being able to count on their family of origin (care leavers) as recipients of protection projects in their minority. Furthermore, the project also provides cohousing solutions for mothers with children who find themselves in a housing emergency due to eviction or the need to leave their home because they are victims of domestic violence.

To make three apartments for this project habitable and therefore usable, it is of course necessary to furnish them and Soroptimist Club Padova has donated a part of the furniture and appliances with a contribution of 3,200 euros. The president of Soroptimist Club Padova Margherita Morpugo explains: «When the municipality proposed that we support this project, we immediately found it in tune with our mission. What we like about this project is that it is designed to have an impact on generations of young people. The people who will be hosted in these facilities, young women or newly 18, in both cases do not have families capable of supporting them in their growth path. They are fragile, yes, but they also have great potential, and therefore we like to think that we can help bring out this potential also thanks to our contribution».

The councilor for residential construction, housing policies and independent living Francesca Benciolini emphasizes: «At a time when the housing emergency is structural, being able to provide answers to the weakest groups requires the ability to invent new solutions with the means available. The cohousing projects that we are starting in some of the larger apartments in our portfolio allow us to make the best use of these homes but require the availability of furnishings, which are normally not necessary. The collaboration with Soroptimist has therefore been very valuable: the furnishings that have been provided to us now make these homes fully usable by giving a roof to people who will be included in autonomy projects».