Significantly worsening 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 major problems for new students, who are also starting a new phase in their lives. In order to be able to start their education, many are forced to resort to emergency solutions. Several students have to decline their education because they cannot find accommodation. - a loss of knowledge and a shortage for Sweden. This is shown by this year's survey of the housing situation ahead of the autumn semester.
Before each autumn semester, the Swedish National Union of Students, SFS, releases a housing report where the housing situation at the country's study locations is mapped. This year's report shows that the housing shortage for students has increased. During the pandemic, demand for student housing decreased in many locations, as more people studied remotely and did not move to the new study location. This year, campus studies are back to pre-pandemic levels. At the same time, students' need for housing is increasing.
In the report, a location is marked red if it takes a semester or more for a student to find secure housing. Compared to last year's housing report, six study locations now have a worse result. 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 socio-economic situation is exacerbating the housing shortage for the country's students. Many students are forced into an uncertain secondary market, where rents are increasing due to higher interest rates. This year's housing report shows that rents remain high for newly built student housing. Interviewed housing companies state that rising construction and material costs have slowed planned new construction of student housing. In combination with the abolition of government investment support, rents for the housing that will actually be built are expected to increase significantly.
Many students spend half of their tuition fees on housing costs and have small financial margins. Even small rent increases have major 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 reducing the housing shortage:
- Reintroduce state investment support! It has previously reported about increased construction costs, which can lead to reduced new construction or the pausing of construction that has already begun, 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 state investment support will hit planned new construction hard. State support is therefore necessary to build more student housing 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 required to repay it, as we have shown in a previous report on student loans. Therefore, a monthly system should be introduced. The age limit should be removed. It should be possible to apply for housing allowance as a resident. In addition, students are not comparable with other low-income households. Therefore, a special set of regulations for students should be investigated. A housing allowance administered by the Central Student Financial Aid Board, CSN, would simplify the system and be clearer for students.
- Ensure that the housing goes to active students! A recurring problem is that people who are no longer studying illegally continue to live in their student housing, especially in places with a general housing shortage. It is therefore important to regularly check that student housing goes to people who are actually studying. An updated Ladok regulation would free up resources that could, for example, be used for new construction and renovations of existing stock instead.
The greatest security for students is having their own accommodation with reasonable rent. Many students move to a completely new city for studies. It is a big adjustment that makes it extra important to have a secure housing situation. Without worrying about uncertain subcontracts. Without having to live on a friend's couch, having to stay in a hostel or camp. A place that is your own. It is something everyone deserves and has the right to.