Housing as inclusion: the GRANDE! project and the challenge of autonomy for unaccompanied foreign minors in Italy

The GRANDE! Giovani stRanieri Accompagnati Nei percorsi Di InclusionE project was developed to support unaccompanied foreign minors (UFMs) in their transition to educational, employment, social, and housing autonomy in Italy. Funded by Con i Bambini as part of the National fund for the fight against child educational poverty, it focused on the regions of Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany, with particular attention to Bologna, Florence, and Lucca. This article explores one of the most critical aspects of UFMs’ inclusion: access to housing. Using a qualitative methodology involving focus groups, interviews, and roundtable discussions, the research highlights the main barriers to housing inclusion and presents an innovative solution: hosting young adults in the co-housing community Il Giardino dei Folli. Initial findings suggest that this model supports not only residential stability but also social integration and employment access. The article concludes with critical reflections on housing policies and proposes replicable strategies to support UFMs in their transition to adulthood, emphasizing the importance of community-based, personalized, and sustainable housing solutions for effective long-term inclusion.