An idyllic Italian village is willing to give people €100,000 ($116,365) to move in and revamp crumbling villas, but no one is taking them up on the offer. Despite being renowned for its beautiful mountain ranges, the northern Italian region of Trentino has suffered with a declining population in recent years. In response, local authorities launched a new housing initiative aimed at revitalizing as many as 33 towns at risk of becoming deserted. Under the scheme, buyers are offered a grant of €100,000 ($116,365) — €80,000 ($93,092) towards renovation and €20,000 ($23,273) to help them purchase a derelict home. The only condition is that they must commit to living at the property or renting it out for at least 10 years. Failing to meet these conditions could result in the grant having to be repaid. Applications are accepted in rounds lasting 3-4 months. The first round opened in May, and by its close on June 30, the initiative had received 291 applications. However, Sagron Mis, nestled at the foot of the Dolomites, failed to attract a single applicant. While it's renowned for its stunning natural beauty and boasts numerous hiking trails and observation points, with just one shop to serve its 170 residents, essential services are limited. The town only has about 15 houses for sale, which is another hurdle. Both Italian nationals and foreign residents are eligible to apply.
