Rome evicted families sleep rough in heatwave

Hundreds of people recently evicted from the Spin Time Labs social centre in Rome are sleeping in tents and on camp beds outside its chained gates as temperatures in the Italian capital near 40C.

Families, elderly residents, children, disabled people and pets have remained outside the building after it was evacuated last month following a minor fire and seized by police. The centre had been occupied since 2013 despite an eviction order.

Anastasia Destro, a doctor helping the evictees, said people were exhausted and showing growing psychological distress. She said volunteers offering medical and psychological aid had seen health problems linked to living on the street and spending the day exposed to the sun.

The fate of the roughly 400 residents has drawn support from volunteers, public figures and Rome's left-wing city council, which has supplied tents, air-conditioning units, portable toilets and a drinking water truck.

Mayor Roberto Gualtieri wants the city to buy the building and has said he hopes residents can be allowed back while negotiations continue. The owner, Investire SGR, has so far refused.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy party has accused Gualtieri of wasting public money and rewarding illegal behaviour by offering to buy the squat.

Supporters say Spin Time Labs has provided essential help to vulnerable people. Over more than a decade, it grew to include a food bank, canteen, carpenter studio, newspaper and theatre.

The eviction has also highlighted Rome's housing shortage. More than 17,000 households are on the waiting list for council accommodation in the city, almost half of them having applied at least a decade ago, according to city data.

Some of the most vulnerable former residents have been moved into alternative accommodation, while others remain outside hoping to return.