More Italians turn to Milan soup kitchens

In 2012 alone, almost as many Italians (37 percent) sought help from the city's homeless centres as foreigners did, Il Fatto Quotidiano reported.

In particular, there has been a significant rise in the number of people aged over 40, who have lost their jobs, turning to the centres for food, medical aid and employment.

The report said the soup kitchens and dormitories are now full of mostly Italians. Among the destitute are entire families and single parents.

An estimated 50,000 people in Italy live on the streets, according to figures released last year by the Italian Institute of Statistics. Sixty-two percent became homeless after losing their jobs.