Addressing the Housing Challenge for Mobile Students in Europe:
Housing challenge – Insights and Recommendations from the HousErasmus+ Research Report
The HousErasmus+ Research Report, co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union, provides a comprehensive analysis of the housing situation for mobile students across Europe. The report, authored by Daiga Kuzmane, Stefan Jahnke, Adriana Pérez Encinas, Emanuel Alfranseder, and Julia Fellinger, with contributions from Dominique Montagnese, Eulalia Espin Alba, Lara Dopazo Ruibal, and Jérémy Apert, aims to address the significant challenges faced by students participating in mobility programmes, particularly focusing on the lack of affordable and adequate housing.
Research Background
The European Union has set a target for 20% of higher education graduates to participate in a mobility experience by 2020. However, the infrastructure required to support this increase in student mobility is often insufficient. The report highlights that finding accommodation has become a major obstacle to student mobility, affecting those who decide to study or do a traineeship abroad. The study covers various aspects, including the status quo of student accommodation, future scenarios, the need for in-depth analysis, and continued research.
Methodology
The research involved desk research, five surveys targeting different stakeholders (students, student organisations, higher education institutions, housing challenge providers, and policymakers), ten study visits, and four regional conferences. The surveys gathered data from over 8,000 individuals, providing insights into the experiences and challenges faced by mobile students across Europe.
Key Findings
The report identifies nine key challenges:
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Lack of awareness among stakeholders about the accommodation challenges faced by mobile students.
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Need for more cooperation among higher education institutions (HEIs), student organisations, housing providers, and policymakers.
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Lack of quality information, making it difficult for students to find accommodation.
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Quality assurance, discrimination, and fraud issues.
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Financial burden, with accommodation costs being a significant part of the additional expenses for mobile students.
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Insufficient student housing in many cities.
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Short-term accommodation challenges, as short-term renting is less attractive for housing providers.
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Language barriers and cultural differences.
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Trainees facing the most challenges due to the lack of a receiving HEI.
Status Quo for Students
The report reveals that around half of Erasmus+ students find it difficult to secure accommodation, with nearly half stating that their accommodation costs were higher than expected. HEIs are identified as the primary source of reliable information for students. The study also highlights that students often turn to family support or personal savings to cover additional costs, raising concerns about the social selectivity of exchange periods.
Recommendations
The report concludes with a series of recommendations aimed at improving the housing challenge situation for mobile students. These include:
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Raising awareness about the challenges and benefits of student mobility.
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Enhancing cooperation among stakeholders to develop systematic approaches to solving accommodation challenges.
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Providing more comprehensive and reliable information to students.
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Ensuring quality assurance in student accommodation and addressing discrimination and fraud.
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Increasing financial support and exploring innovative housing challenge solutions.
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Encouraging more cooperation between HEIs, housing providers, and policymakers.
Future Scenarios
The report outlines three potential scenarios for the future:
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Immediate action: HEIs should conduct mapping exercises to understand the current status of student accommodation and work with local student organisations and municipalities to address challenges.
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Long-term action: Creating broader awareness and platforms for continued discussion among stakeholders.
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Bold vision: Developing a pan-European tool for sharing reliable information between HEIs and housing challenge providers, integrating with larger digital infrastructures for language learning and intercultural preparation.
Conclusion
The HousErasmus+ Research Report underscores the urgent need for coordinated efforts to improve student housing challenge across Europe. By addressing the identified challenges and implementing the proposed recommendations, stakeholders can enhance the accessibility and quality of accommodation for mobile students, thereby promoting a more inclusive and enriching mobility experience.
For further reading:
Research Report – HousErasmus+