Residence registration to cope with homelessness: evidence from a qualitative research study in Milan

Abstract

Homeless people are one of the most vulnerable and marginalized groups in developed countries, and their homelessness situation often persists over the long term. However, so far, no studies have explained the specific role played by residence registration as it relates to deprivation amongst the homeless population and its contribution to improving the lives of homeless people. This paper investigates the paths homeless people in Milan use to access residence registration, via a case study in the city of Milan. Home to Italy’s largest homeless population, the city of Milan has implemented the innovative ResidenzaMi project to improve access to residence registration for homeless people. The study considers official statistics and individual interviews with service providers involved in the registration process. It further investigates the main factors impeding the registration process and outlines the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results from our study indicate that a residence certificate plays a critical role in helping homeless people exercise their rights and access the services they need to escape homelessness. Our findings suggest the importance of a holistic, multidimensional approach to ensure access to residence registration for homeless persons.

Population perspectives and demographic methods to strengthen CRVS systems: introduction

“…Pasqualini and Bazzani ( 2021 ), similar to the study by Cheong and Baltazar ( 2021 ) of foreign labor migrants in Sabah, Malaysia, find that foreign nationals in Milan face additional challenges in accessing residence registration. They specifically highlight that when an individual is not recorded in the residence population registry, access to basic social and health services is severely reduced.…”

“…Pasqualini and Bazzani ( 2021 ) investigate the important issues of societal inclusion and social protection of homeless persons in Milan, Italy, by studying the challenges and opportunities of residence registration for homeless persons. Their qualitative study highlights the importance of evaluating access to proof of legal identity in high-income settings—specifically as a means to understanding social exclusion and addressing homelessness.…”

Including the Most Excluded? A Qualitative Study on the Address Registration for People Experiencing Homelessness in Belgium

“…Lastly, a recent study of Pasqualini and Bazzani (2021) link homelessness and civil registration, and conclude the residence registration plays a critical role for homeless persons in Milan (Italy) to exercise their rights and access the services they need to escape homelessness. The authors mainly focus on individual barriers to residence registration (such as fear, mistrust and social stigma), rather than addressing structural dynamics.…”

Pandemic disorientations and reorientations as legacies: Scoping review of COVID‐19 impacts on European cities

“…Lockdowns also forced residents of small homes, in particular, to reorient their sociability and mobility patterns to counter negative impacts on their well-being. Cascading alterations in social patterns worsened the precarious life conditions among members of the unhoused population because many services had to be closed because of pandemic restrictions (Pasqualini & Bazzani, 2021).…”