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What Caused the UK University Student Housing Crisis LHA London In August this year, universities in the UK accepted more students than ever before, which has led to a student housing crisis, with many local and international students unable to find appropriate housing. More than 400,000 students were accepted on the day of Clearing, which has put a strain on the already limited student housing supply. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that many universities are located in cities with higher rent than other parts of the country. It has led to some students taking housing options in cities away from their universities, prompting commutes of up to two hours each day. But what has caused this housing crisis? Increase in the number of international students Many factors have contributed to the student housing crisis. Firstly, there has been a steady increase in international students studying in the UK, from 556,625 in 2019-2020 to 605,130 in 2020-2021. With most students coming from China, India, and Nigeria, the crisis is especially acute in London, where most international students are based, with 23,360 students in 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the educational system switched to virtual learning, with most universities closed. This had a knock-on effect on the student housing market as many students could stay at home rather than in university accommodation. However, as the pandemic subsided and universities reopened, there was a surge in demand for student housing as students flocked back to university towns and cities. This increase in demand, coupled with a decrease in supply, has led to the current student housing crisis. Accommodations rushed to refurnish and fill their properties, but this still was not enough to meet the immense demand. Rising rental prices Many students are thrown into a difficult financial situation as they cannot find affordable housing. In some cases, students have been forced to move back in with their parents or live in overcrowded houses with multiple people in a room. The average rental price for university accommodations in England is £650 per month, with the more expensive housing expenses in London at more than £1,000 per month. Increasing energy prices Add to this the rising energy bills students must pay for their accommodations. Liz Truss' promise to freeze energy bills at £2,500 per year may help, but surprise costs can still hit students hard, as larger home and rental properties may consume more energy. The UK student housing crisis is a multifaceted problem caused by several factors, from the increasing number of international students to the COVID-19 pandemic. With rising cost-of-living prices, students can only hope that the government takes action to help ease the burden of finding housing and other necessary expenses. RESOURCES https://lhalondon.com/ https://www.edexlive.com/news/2022/oct/03/uk-student-accommodation-crisis-explained- plus-uk-officials-experts-and-students-weigh-in-31415.html https://www.theguardian.com/education/2022/sep/10/devastated-uk-students-forced-to-live- in-neighbouring-cities-in-university-accommodation-crisis https://www.studying-in-uk.org/international-student-statistics-in-uk/ https://www.savethestudent.org/accommodation/universities-students-pay-the-most- rent.html https://www.theguardian.com/money/2022/sep/17/energy-bills-students-gas-electricity-deal
