WELCOME Italian youth hostels to take asylum seekers as well as tourists

Posted on 09/24/2015 | About Italy

Italy's youth hostels will shelter asylum-seekers as thousands of people fleeing war and persecution reach Italian shores after rescue from smugglers' boats. For now, hostels in seven cities will make available a total of 500 beds, while still keeping many beds for ordinary travellers in need of an economical place to sleep.
Organizers from Italian associations for hostels and for sports culture said in Rome Wednesday they devised the plan in hopes that hostel facilities like tennis courts and soccer fields will facilitate integration.

There is no age limit for the asylum-seekers at the hostels, although unaccompanied minors aren't permitted. This week, Florence and Genoa hostels will welcome 70 and 50 asylum applicants respectively. Government officials select the asylum-seekers for the hostels.