To turn their fortunes around, several Italian small towns are developing alluring plans to draw in new people. There has been a frenzy of rivalry, with houses being offered for throwaway prices and abandoned residences being sold for $1.
According to CNN, officials at Presicce town, in the Puglia area of Italy, are willing to pay people 30,000 euros (roughly $30,000) who want to buy an empty land and set up residence there.
Alfredo Palese, a local Presicce councilor told CNN, “There are many empty homes in the historical center built before 1991 which we would like to see alive again with new residents.” The cash incentive is intended to entice potential residents to move to the town. Which has been experiencing a decline in the birth rate. “It is a pity witnessing how our old districts full of history, wonderful architecture and art are slowly emptying.”
Despite the fact that the deal’s specifics are still being worked out, Palese claimed that the authorities plan to start accepting applications in the coming weeks. And that anyone interested may find all the necessary facts on the town hall website.
“We will be offering up to 30,000 euros to people willing to move here and buy one of these abandoned dwellings,” he says.
One of the key requirements for receiving this incentive is that potential purchasers must move to Prescott and purchase a home that was constructed before 1991.”The total funding will be split in two: it will go partly into buying an old home and partly into restyling it if needed.”
The 2019 merger with a neighboring town will finance the offer. Due to the merger of Presicce and Acquarica, the state coffers received additional funding, enabling the offer to last for years. “After the merger. As per Italian law, our wider territory will be blessed with more public funds. Roughly [1 million] euros per year for several years forward. Which we intend to invest to revitalize the old district,” Palese says.