The Price Of History

There only remains "a group of survivors in the once-humble neighborhoods of Rome's historic center who have been threatened with eviction as landlords seek to catch up with soaring property prices by redoing apartments and hiking the rents.

Evictions have long been a sensitive issue in Rome, and with national and municipal elections looming, politicians have taken action. A decree approved by Premier Silvio Berlusconi's government and backed by two center-right candidates for Rome mayor blocks the ousting of vulnerable city tenants for six months."

"The decree is limited to elderly, young or disabled tenants in urban areas who don't have anywhere else to live and cannot afford higher rents. The burden is on the tenants to prove they fall into these categories."