We are pleased to welcome a new Italian member to the Eurhonet community: ARTE Imperia. To find out more about the organisation and its goals, we spoke to its CEO, Antonio Parolini.
Welcome to Eurhonet! Can you tell us a bit about your organisation?
“ARTE Imperia is the Regional Territorial Agency for Housing of the Province of Imperia.
We manage and develop the stock of Public Residential Housing with the goal of ensuring safe, dignified, and sustainable homes for those most in need. We work on several fronts: extraordinary maintenance, acquisition of new homes, energy retrofitting, urban regeneration, and the creation of innovative services such as our User Service Centre.”
What is your background and how did you come to work in public/social housing?
“I hold a degree in Economics and Business from the University of Pavia, and for over twenty years I have worked as a Chartered Accountant and Statutory Auditor. Throughout my career, I have gained extensive experience as a consultant for companies and local authorities, as well as serving as a bankruptcy trustee, judicial commissioner, and member of various boards of directors. In addition, I have held institutional roles, including Councillor for Finance for the Province of Imperia, and positions within national organisations such as Federcasa. This path naturally led me to public housing: a sector where management, economic, and social skills intersect to respond to a fundamental need of the community.”
What does public/social housing mean to you?
“It means guaranteeing a fundamental right: housing. But also building inclusive communities, creating opportunities for social growth, reducing inequalities, and improving quality of life. For me, social housing means putting people at the centre, not just the buildings.”
What are the most rewarding and stimulating aspects of your role?
“The ability to have a concrete impact on people’s lives, improving housing conditions, safety, efficiency, and wellbeing. I enjoy teamwork with institutions, organisations, and volunteers, as well as the challenge of innovating in a sector often bound by regulations and limited resources. Coordinating urban regeneration projects that bring together technical, social, and urban planning aspects is particularly enriching. Innovating—for example through co-housing, energy efficiency, or the “asbestos-free” project—gives real meaning to my daily commitment.”
What motivates you in your role?
“The awareness that every project or service introduced can improve a family’s life. I believe housing is central to personal dignity and social cohesion. Seeing tangible results—a renovated home, a regenerated neighbourhood, a service that makes tenants’ lives easier—is what motivates me most.”
What are your organisation’s key priorities at the moment?
- “Acquiring new homes to meet growing demand.
- Improving the quality of existing housing (maintenance, energy efficiency, asbestos removal).
- Regenerating disadvantaged neighbourhoods, transforming abandoned spaces into service hubs.
- Strengthening user services with projects such as the User Service Centre.
- Focusing on environmental and economic sustainability. “
Can you tell us about a recent project you are proud of?
“There are several projects I consider particularly significant. I am proud of the €13.2 million invested between 2024 and 2025 for over 200 homes, covering maintenance, renovations, and new acquisitions. Key projects include: the redevelopment of the “Gallardi” in Ventimiglia, the PINQUA in the Pigna district of Sanremo, asbestos removal works in Taggia and other municipalities, and the acquisition of 24 new homes in Imperia thanks to regional funds. I am also particularly satisfied with the User Service Centre in Porto Maurizio, which will become a direct and integrated contact point for users.”
What are the main challenges of public/social housing in your region?
“Housing demand is growing, but resources are limited. Construction and retrofitting costs are high, and many properties require structural and energy upgrades. Another challenge is social cohesion: housing is not just about building, but also about integrating services, inclusion, and listening—especially in a complex territory like Liguria.”
Your Eurhonet membership: what motivated you to join the network?
“The conviction that international exchange is an added value. Eurhonet makes it possible to share experiences and best practices, develop joint projects, and access training and funding opportunities. I strongly believe in the value of exchange: knowing what other organisations are doing in Europe helps us improve and innovate.”
What do you hope to gain from the network?
“I hope to acquire innovative models already tested elsewhere, to launch European collaborations, and to contribute with our experience in urban regeneration and user services. Eurhonet is also an opportunity to strengthen ARTE Imperia’s visibility at European level. “
What would you like other Eurhonet members to know about your organisation?
“That ARTE Imperia is not just an agency managing public housing, but a dynamic organisation working on housing, services, inclusion, and sustainability. We are ready to share experiences, challenges, and results with the aim of improving social housing across Europe “
We warmly welcome ARTE Imperia to Eurhonet and look forward to fruitful collaboration ahead.
