SYL: Housing availability tops student housing concerns in university cities

Finland’s National Union of University Students (SYL) announced that a survey of student unions in 14 university cities found student housing availability to be the single biggest problem for students. In 10 of the 14 responses, the availability of student housing was ranked as the most pressing issue.

The survey was sent to student unions in each university city, and the issue was highlighted most strongly in Helsinki, Espoo, Jyväskylä, Lappeenranta, Lahti, Rovaniemi, Pori, Rauma, Vaasa and Turku. SYL board member Laura Heino said it is somewhat surprising that housing availability emerged as the top challenge, given that the survey was carried out during the first academic year after students were moved from general housing assistance to a weaker housing supplement within student financial aid. Heino noted that, despite the benefit reduction, housing costs did not rise to the top elsewhere except Tampere, where price was seen as the main issue.

Several student unions said the shortage is driven by growing student numbers, including both domestic and international students. They also pointed to concerns about slow progress on new student housing projects and the gradual pace of renovations of older units. After availability, the next most common worries were insufficient supply for certain groups, rent levels, and the poor condition of some housing.

SYL said the survey is the first step in its investigation into the future of student housing. The union added that reforms to student housing support systems, funding, construction incentives and administration during the current government term are changing the whole operating environment, and that it will therefore map future scenarios for student housing by 2026, publish on current conditions and solutions, and present its own vision for meeting students’ housing needs ahead of the next parliamentary election.