“Money is something that we can actually try to take control of ourselves, we don't have to leave it to the state”
Casa Mia Fund is a service design project focused on addressing the housing and integration challenges faced by refugees, asylum seekers, and undocumented immigrants in Bergamo, Italy. Through extensive research and a human-centered approach, the team developed a solution aimed at empowering individuals to rebuild their lives, achieve housing stability, and foster autonomy.Their work envisions a future where refugees in Bergamo have not only access to housing but also the tools to lead self-determined, dignified lives.
While the journey of each individual who finds themselves in emergency housing is unique, shared experiences of uncertainty, mistrust, and systemic barriers highlighted critical intervention points. While 99% of the people we interviewed felt powerless in the face of financial, legal and socio-economic disadvantages being undocumented in Italy posed for them, 1% showed initiative in taking control of their lives notwithstanding the many challenges.
How might we foster mutual agreements between individuals in emergency housing and their support systems to enhance their ability to settle and integrate into Bergamo as a long-term home?
The proposed solution, Casa Mia Fund provides access to mentorship, financial support, and a structured savings program for individuals who wish to establish themselves in Bergamo. The solution is organized into three key stages:
- Learn & Plan:
Participants are introduced to the program through outreach sessions and paired with mentors. Mentors, often individuals with shared experiences and/or empathetic to the needs of the mentees, offer emotional and practical support, helping participants navigate complex systems rife with bureaucratic roadblocks and social discrimination, and envision a more stable future. - Fund & Grow:
Participants contribute a portion of their income to the fund, which is managed transparently. Over time, these contributions accumulate into significant savings, providing participants with the financial resources necessary for housing. - Invest and Transition:
At the conclusion of the program, participants receive a transition kit, including personalized messages from their mentor, a summary of their savings, an invitation from the fund to celebrate and offer tools to support their independence. This final phase enables them to take actionable steps toward stable housing or other goals.
The Casa Mia Fund is further supported by partnerships with employers, banks, and housing providers, creating a trusted network that enhances the participants’ opportunities and autonomy.
