Gallarate - In Gallarate, public housing is without heat. "We've been living in the cold, without hot water since September 9th." - Gallarate/Malpensa - Varese News

"We haven't had hot water since September 9th. And now we're freezing. We're sick, we can't take it anymore." This is the heartfelt plea from Vincenza and Giovanni, 73 and 72, who live in a public housing project in Gallarate . For several weeks, they've been struggling with the cold and humidity without heating or running water, which was already lacking in September when temperatures were still warm.

A heartfelt protest. "This house was a hovel, we worked hard to fix it up. In 14 years, I've never been heard to complain. But now, every week without heat is like losing a month of my life."

Their situation, reports Sicet, the CISL tenants' union, is not an isolated case. Other tenants, scattered between Vicolo Volpe and Vicolo del Gambero in the city center and Via Pradisera on the outskirts, are experiencing similar hardships. The problem, as Sicet-CISL reports, concerns non-functioning boilers and a lack of maintenance.

Valentina Pignatelli , head of Sicet-Cisl in Gallarate, spokesperson for the protests: "An initial inspection has already been carried out in three apartments: in two cases, the boilers are completely out of order , while in a third , the tenant is forced to place buckets under the system to collect the leaking water. In two other apartments—one at Vicolo Volpe 1 and the other at Via Pradisera—the residents have directly requested that the system be replaced, but this has not yet been communicated."

“A problem with whoever has the maintenance contract”

But it's not just comfort that's missing: without hot water, even basic hygiene practices become a serious problem, especially for those with health problems or the elderly. "A delay in repairs due to a broken gate or overgrown grass is one thing, but here we're talking about boilers that have been broken for almost two months . It's a problem that profoundly impacts the daily lives of people, many of whom are vulnerable," Pignatielli continues.

The issue, according to the union, concerns the contractor in charge of Aler's system maintenance, who, for example, reportedly had problems accessing the roofs of the municipally owned public housing in the center of Gallarate (Vicolo Volpe-Vicolo del Gambero). "If there are problems with the contract," Pignatelli adds, "then Aler must take charge of the situation and find a solution. These are urgent matters that must be addressed immediately, without further delay."

Aler's response: "The company in charge was contacted."

We contacted Aler Varese-Monza Brianza-Busto Arsizio: the company confirmed that "there were delays by the company responsible for carrying out the work, resulting in inconvenience for some tenants."

The company, aware of the sensitive nature of the situation, promptly notified the contractor with a new service order formally requesting completion of the work, reserving the right to apply contractual penalties in the event of further non-compliance and to report the contractor to the relevant authorities. The company is closely monitoring the progress of the work, activating all necessary procedures to ensure the restoration of heating service within the current week.

Aler reiterates its ongoing commitment to ensuring the proper functioning of its systems and the quality of living in its buildings, fully protecting users and ensuring public safety.