Social Housing: Call for Applications Opens for the Allocation of 82 Apartments in the Municipality of Granarolo dell’Emilia

The project, named "Granarolo HS," is promoted by the Fondo Iccrea Banca Impresa, managed by Investire SGR Spa and financed by CDP Real Asset SGR through the Fondo Investimenti per l’Abitare and BCC Banca Iccrea.

All apartments meet the highest energy efficiency standards: 56 units are designated for long-term affordable rental, while 26 are available for subsidized sale.

Granarolo dell’Emilia, April 16, 2024 – The call for applications has been published for the allocation of 82 apartments under the "Granarolo HS" initiative, located in Granarolo dell’Emilia, in the Metropolitan City of Bologna (BO). This social housing project, valued at 12 million euros, is owned by the Fondo Iccrea Banca Impresa, managed by Investire SGR, and financed by CDP Real Asset SGR—through the Fondo Investimenti per l’Abitare—and BCC Banca Iccrea. The initiative’s development was funded by Emil Banca.

The housing complex, located at Via della Solidarietà no. 7, consists of 56 apartments designated for long-term affordable rental and 26 apartments available for subsidized sale. All units are built following modern seismic and environmental sustainability standards. Each apartment features outdoor spaces, the highest energy efficiency rating, and comes with one or more additional amenities (such as a garage or storage unit). The complex also includes a large shared green area and communal parking spaces. The local commercial management has been entrusted to the real estate agency MC & PARTNERS.

Granarolo HS is part of a broader social housing plan aimed at developing approximately 500 residences across the Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, and Lazio regions. The goal is to increase the availability of affordable rental and for-sale housing, supporting and complementing public policies to address housing difficulties. The entire plan, valued at 80 million euros, is being implemented by Investire SGR through the Fondo ICCREA BANCA IMPRESA and is financed with 60 million euros from CDP Real Asset (via the Fondo Investimenti per l’Abitare) and 20 million euros from BCC Banca Iccrea, along with Emil Banca.

Statements from Project Stakeholders:

"This inclusion project," stated Paolo Boleso, Head of Residential & Social Infrastructure at Investire SGR, "is part of a broader national-scale fund management strategy aimed at developing social housing projects in collaboration with CDP Real Asset SGR and institutional investors, including BCC Banca Iccrea. The Granarolo HS project represents a socially significant investment, as it substantially expands the housing supply—both in quantity and quality—within the Bologna metropolitan area. We are pleased with the contribution we are making and the positive impact we are creating by improving access to housing for many families struggling to find options that meet their needs, including financial constraints."

Manuele Bonora, Chief Lending Officer of the BCC Iccrea Group, commented: "The Social Housing initiative in Granarolo dell’Emilia is part of a series of nationwide social housing projects implemented by the BCC Iccrea Group and Cassa Depositi e Prestiti through the FIA. In the current delicate economic context, social housing provides a much-needed solution by combining sustainability, social inclusion, and community engagement."

Matteo Passini, General Manager of Emil Banca, added: "Housing affordability in the Metropolitan City of Bologna is a significant issue. The tourism boom and the high number of students in the city have driven property and rental prices to unsustainable levels for many families. This project offers a concrete response to the growing demand for affordable housing, introducing modern, comfortable, and environmentally friendly homes to the market."

Alessandro Ricci, Mayor of Granarolo dell’Emilia, expressed his gratitude: "I want to thank Investire SGR, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, and Iccrea Banca Impresa for completing this Social Housing project, which will soon provide 56 rental units and 26 subsidized-sale apartments. As a municipality in Bologna’s immediate suburban belt, we face a consistently high housing demand. Despite having both public and private rental housing stock, the demand for rentals continues to grow. This project offers a tangible response to our community’s housing needs—particularly for young people looking to start a family or gain independence but struggling to find rental options. It is a great example of successful public-private collaboration, in line with the principles of subsidiarity, representing a valuable investment in our territory that makes our community stronger and more welcoming."