Rapporto 2024 Caritas diocesana Bari-Bitonto

The 2024 Caritas Diocesana Bari‑Bitonto Report, produced by Caritas di Bari‑Bitonto under the auspices of the Archdiocese of Bari‑Bitonto, presents a comprehensive analysis of poverty, social exclusion and housing conditions within the diocese. The organisation, a long‑standing Catholic charitable body, coordinates local parish Caritas centres that provide material aid, counselling and social services to vulnerable families and individuals.

The report highlights that 27 440 empty homes exist in the diocese while approximately 6 000 households lack a permanent residence. In Bari city alone, 9 003 families include at least one foreign‑born member and 7 492 are entirely foreign, a demographic that is disproportionately represented among those without adequate housing. The data underline a growing gap between vacant housing stock and the needs of low‑income families, migrants and young adults.

• Empty dwellings: 27 440
• Households without a home: ~6 000
• Families with foreign members in Bari: 9 003 (including 7 492 fully foreign)
• People facing housing problems (beneficiaries): 1 027
• Newly registered beneficiaries (2023): 3 015 first‑time users of parish centres These figures illustrate a pronounced housing deficit that is exacerbated by demographic pressures and limited affordable‑rental options.

In 2023 the Caritas network assisted 13 446 individuals, of which 3 015 were first‑time contacts. Beneficiaries were predominantly female (57 %) and aged 46‑65 (30 %) followed by the 31‑45 age group (25 %). Minor‑aged beneficiaries accounted for 19 % of the total, reflecting the impact of family composition on service demand. Among the beneficiaries, 12 % were pensioners, 23 % unemployed and 16 % students, indicating a strong link between precarious employment and housing insecurity.

The report identifies unemployment (23 %) and precarious work (including 15 % in informal or “black” jobs) as major contributors to material poverty. Economic hardship is the most frequently reported need, with 2 876 beneficiaries citing financial problems and 1 927 indicating employment‑related difficulties. These conditions often translate into an inability to meet rent, mortgage or utility payments, further aggravating housing instability.

Beneficiaries reported a range of housing‑related issues: lack of any dwelling, risk of eviction, inadequate or overcrowded accommodation, and inability to afford rent, mortgage or utility costs. While the exact breakdown of these categories is not detailed, the total number of individuals indicating housing problems (1 027) underscores the prominence of shelter as a critical area of intervention for Caritas.

The report situates housing distress within broader structural trends such as gentrification, touristification and the conversion of residential units into short‑term rentals. These dynamics have reduced the supply of affordable long‑term housing, particularly affecting migrants, young families and the elderly. The diocese’s Caritas centres act as “sentinels” for housing vulnerability, providing emergency assistance (e.g., payment of rent or utilities) while advocating for more systemic solutions.

For a pan‑European audience concerned with sustainable housing, the Caritas Bari‑Bitonto data illustrate the intersecting challenges of vacant housing stock, demographic change and insufficient affordable housing policies. The report suggests that repurposing empty dwellings, improving energy efficiency of existing homes and fostering inclusive tenancy models could alleviate both environmental impact and social exclusion.

Between 2022 and 2023 the number of beneficiaries increased by roughly 13 %, reflecting a rising demand for Caritas services. While the proportion of new beneficiaries (3 015) indicates that many individuals are entering the system for the first time, the persistent high levels of economic and housing need point to ongoing structural deficits that require coordinated public‑private action across the European Union.