Authorities in Rome are working to find accommodation for roughly 400 individuals residing in tents amid severe heat conditions following the closure of Spin Time Labs, a long-occupied building in the Esquilino district that served as a hub for social and cultural services. The facility, which had been occupied by grassroots organizations since 2013, was vacated on 29 July after a minor fire incident. Following safety inspections, police secured the building and it was placed under two judicial seizure orders—one related to the owner’s legal proceedings to regain control and another connected to the fire investigation.
Negotiations between Rome’s municipal government and the building’s private owner to purchase the property and preserve Spin Time’s operations have concluded without agreement. The owner declined the council’s offer, citing unspecified legal concerns with the proposal. Rome’s mayor characterized the response as an irrevocable rejection and expressed frustration with the outcome, noting his impression that the decision had already been made before formal discussions concluded.
The situation has intensified existing political divisions regarding squatted buildings. The national government, led by Giorgia Meloni, has prioritized enforcement actions against occupied properties, viewing them as sources of criminal activity. Critics have highlighted what they characterize as inconsistent application of this policy, pointing to the neofascist organization CasaPound’s ongoing occupation of a state-owned building in the same neighbourhood for more than two decades.
While some former residents found shelter with friends and family, more than 200 people—including elderly individuals, those with health conditions, and approximately one-quarter children—have been sleeping outdoors. One child required hospitalization this week due to respiratory complications. Rome’s municipal council and Caritas, a Catholic charitable organization, are exploring alternative housing solutions. Former residents have indicated they plan to continue their presence outside the building and seek alternative spaces for their community operations.
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