The short version
- A minor fire at Spin Time Labs triggered police evacuation and subsequent judicial seizure of the building, leaving approximately 400 residents homeless during a severe heatwave.
- The Meloni administration views occupied buildings as criminal hubs, while local officials and cultural figures defend the center as a vital social service provider supported by the Vatican and left-wing city council.
- Residents face uncertain futures as the interior ministry has previously failed to execute eviction orders due to legal risks, yet now maintains control of the site pending safety assessments.
Hundreds of people are sleeping in tents under intense summer heat in Rome’s Esquilino district following the sudden closure of Spin Time Labs, a major center for housing and social assistance. The displacement began after a small fire broke out on the premises last week, prompting police to evacuate the ten-story complex and lock its gates. Authorities cited the need for safety inspections as the reason for keeping residents out, but the move has intensified a political standoff between the national government and local leaders over the future of squatted properties in Italy.
The incident has left approximately 400 individuals without shelter, including children, elderly persons, and people with disabilities. Petronela Podaro, a domestic worker from Romania who is currently camping outside the locked red gates, described the conditions as awful and worsened by the extreme temperatures. She noted that the community includes newborns and those with complex medical needs who are struggling to cope with the heat. Despite the hardship, she emphasized the unity of the diverse group, arguing that the government fails to recognize that economic stability would prevent such reliance on informal housing solutions.
Spin Time Labs has operated since 2013 as a grassroots initiative offering a wide range of services beyond basic shelter. The facility includes a food bank, a restaurant, co-working spaces, an after-school club, migration assistance programs, and a barbershop. Benjamin Macshane, a British volunteer who works in the center’s kitchen, highlighted the uniqueness of the project, stating that it provides numerous avenues for community growth rarely found elsewhere. The center has long been supported by Rome’s left-wing city council and the Vatican, distinguishing it from typical squats in the eyes of its advocates.
The Meloni government, however, maintains a hardline stance against occupied buildings, characterizing them as dens of criminality. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi’s ministry has targeted Spin Time for eviction for years, viewing the occupation as illegal rather than a social service. Critics argue that the recent seizure is less about safety and more about fulfilling a political objective. Marco Perilli, an Italian construction worker and early resident who helped extinguish the initial fire, claimed that police searched the building for drugs and weapons but found nothing. He suggested the fire was exploited as a pretext for eviction, asserting that the administration is waging war against poor people.
The building is currently subject to two judicial seizure orders. One stems from a long-running legal battle by the private owner seeking to regain possession, while the other relates directly to the recent fire incident. Although the interior ministry had previously failed to carry out an eviction order issued in 2020, reportedly due to fears of social and legal repercussions, it has now secured control of the site. The government was ordered earlier this year to pay €21 million in damages for failing to act on that prior judicial directive, highlighting the complex legal landscape surrounding these properties.
High-profile figures have rallied behind the displaced residents. Author Roberto Saviano, a vocal critic of the Meloni administration, visited the site and described the center as a symbol of democracy rather than a criminal enterprise. Other cultural leaders, including Oscar-winning director Paolo Sorrentino, have appealed for the residents to be allowed back inside or provided with alternative accommodation. The controversy recalls a 2019 incident when Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, an aide to Pope Francis, famously climbed down a manhole to restore electricity to the center, drawing sharp criticism from then-Interior Minister Matteo Salvini.
Local authorities are scrambling to mitigate the crisis. Rome’s city council, along with volunteers, has provided camp beds, food, drink, and medical assistance to those sleeping on the streets. The council is also exploring options to purchase the building to preserve the community services it offers. However, no immediate solution has been implemented, leaving residents in limbo as they wait for safety checks to be completed or for a political resolution to emerge.
The situation underscores the deepening divide between national and local priorities regarding housing and social welfare in Italy. While the government emphasizes law enforcement and property rights, local officials and civil society groups prioritize social stability and community support. As the heatwave continues, the physical toll on vulnerable populations remains a pressing concern, with no clear timeline for when residents might return to their homes or receive permanent alternative housing.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian World↗Hundreds camp in Rome heatwave as Meloni government cracks down on squats
