Greatly worsened housing situation for the country's students
A majority of the country's students have to wait at least one semester to get accommodation. This means big problems for new students, who at the same time have to start a new phase in life. In order to start their education, many are referred to emergency solutions. Several students have to turn down their education because they cannot find a place to live - a loss of knowledge and a shortage for Sweden. This is shown by this year's mapping of the housing situation ahead of the autumn term.
Before each fall semester, the Swedish National Union of Students, SFS, releases a housing report where the housing situation in the country's study areas is mapped. This year's report shows that the housing shortage for students has increased. During the pandemic, the demand for student accommodation decreased in many locations, as more people studied remotely and did not move to the new study location. This year, campus studies are back at pre-pandemic levels. At the same time, students' need for housing is increasing.
In the report, a location is highlighted in red if it takes a semester or more for a student to find safe accommodation. In comparison with last year's housing report, six study areas now have worse results. This year's report also shows that 61 percent of students live in a red-marked location, an increase of 17 percentage points from 2021.
The socioeconomic situation reinforces the housing shortage for the country's students. Many students are forced into an uncertain secondary market, where rents increase as a result of increased interest rates. This year's housing report shows that rents remain high for newly produced student housing. Interviewed housing companies state that rising construction and material costs have slowed down planned new construction of student housing. In combination with abolished state investment support, the rents on the homes that will actually be built are expected to increase significantly.
Many students spend half of their tuition on housing costs and have small financial margins. Even small rent increases have big consequences. The inflation adjustment of the tuition fee that will be made at the turn of the year as a result of an increased price base amount is not a real increase in the tuition fee. Political action is now required to reverse a structural problem.
Three proposals for a reduced housing shortage:
- Reintroduce a government investment subsidy! It has before reported about increased construction costs, which can lead to a reduction in new construction or the pausing of started construction, and which has already meant that planned construction starts are postponed. Several of the housing companies in the housing report believe that the abolition of government investment support hits hard against planned new construction. Government support is therefore necessary for more student accommodation to be built while keeping rents at a reasonable level.
- Reform the housing allowance! Today's housing allowance is perceived as complicated and few students apply for it for fear of being liable for repayment, which we have shown, among other things, in a previous report on student funds. Therefore, a monthly system should be introduced. The age restriction should be removed. It should be possible to apply for housing allowance as a resident. Furthermore, students are not comparable to other low-income households. Therefore, a special set of regulations for students should be investigated. A housing allowance administered by the Central student support board, CSN, would simplify the system and become clearer for students.
- Make sure the housing goes to active students! A recurring problem is that people who are no longer studying illegally remain in their student housing, especially in areas with a general housing shortage. Therefore, it is important to regularly check that the student housing goes to people who are actually studying. An updated Ladok regulation would free up resources that could, for example, go to new construction and renovations of existing stocks instead.
The greatest security for students is to have their own accommodation with a reasonable rent. Many students move to a completely new city for studies. It is a major change that makes it extra important to have a secure housing situation. Without worrying about uncertain subcontracts. Without having to live on a couch with a friend, having to stay in hostels or camping. A place that is one's own. It is something everyone deserves and has the right to.