A unique scheme has been introduced by local authorities and property dealers to rehabilitate Italy’s historic towns.
The town of Presicce, in the Italian province of Puglia, will not only receive compensation for residents, but also introduce a baby bonus for the birth of children and tax incentives for businesses, officials say. Will pay up to 30,000 euros (about $30,000) to buy and live.
There are some houses in the city that are being sold at very discounted prices, most of the houses offered for sale are properties that have been abandoned by the original owners. They cost around 25,000 euros.
Local councillor Alfredo Palace “It’s sad to see how our old historic districts that were filled with great architecture are slowly emptying out,” he told CNN.
According to Alfredo though so far Presicce And Acquarica I have about 9,000 residents but the older parts of the community still need to be settled, there are many empty houses in the historic center built before 1991 that we want to repopulate with new residents.
He said that the funding of the project for this purpose will be divided into two parts. The first part will be spent on buying the old house while the second part will be spent on its reconstruction if required.
Alfredo Peles added that the project has been finalized and the process of receiving applications for the same will be started very soon. Application forms and information will be available on the Town Hall website from next week.
The city also provides a number of amenities for residents, including biking and trekking trails, pastures and stone forts.
Planners are hoping this unique cash-for-residence scheme will not only attract people, but also settle a region where the number of new babies is dwindling every year.