In the future, the adequacy and price of affordable student housing will be even more critical success factors for student cities than they currently are.

The role of the state as a promoter of student housing will be reduced due to cuts in production subsidies implemented and planned by the Government. Incentives for affordable housing production were also removed from land use, housing and transport contracts with large urban areas. In practice, these measures have stalled the construction of new student housing projects or, at the very least, are making them economically challenging or even impossible.

As the incentives offered by the state for the construction of affordable housing and the related student housing are reduced, the role of student cities is emphasised. In these cities, educational institutions create significant amounts of attraction, jobs and vitality, and every effort is made to increase their impact and student numbers.

The objective of increasing the number of students, for example, by increasing the number of available student places, requires municipalities to have sufficient affordable housing. Additionally, attracting international students requires concrete measures, and one of the key factors is the availability and price of housing. Without sufficient affordable student housing, municipalities will find it difficult to hold on to students and ensure that they can focus on their studies without undue financial burden.

Sufficient provision of student housing may become a vital strategic success factor for student cities. For this reason, it is justified for them to ensure that housing production will continue from the beginning of the new municipal council term.

Cities must ensure at least a sufficient plot reserve for affordable housing production and prepare light and simple plan regulations for the future student housing. Low-cost plot prices will play an increasingly central role as a factor enabling the construction of student housing.

Cities must also support student housing foundations and work closely with students and higher education institutions to address challenges related to student housing. By preparing documents that support and guide the work, for example, to strategically support student housing or student retention programmes, it is possible to genuinely promote these issues.

More information:

Taru Kyllönen
SAMOK board member (livelihood, housing, elections)
040 417 4666
[email protected]

Maria Saita
Member of the SYL Board, social policy
044 906 5004
[email protected]