Affordable Housing

Topic:

This week’s topic discusses affordable housing, and how it is linked to higher education.

Why Is Housing So Expensive? – UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence [video, 3 mins]
Can This Student’s Flatshare Reviews Beat Dodgy Landlords? – Catherine Baksi, The Guardian [article, 3 mins]
British Students Have Learned A Crucial Lesson: Landlords Always Come First – Laurie Macfarlane, Open Democracy [article, 5 mins]
What Can We Do About Student Accommodation Costs? – Graham Galbraith, WonkHE [article, 5 mins]
University Blamed For Housing Crisis Had 131 Student Vacancies – Billy Briggs, The Ferret [article, 5 mins]
Welcome To Rabbit-Hutch Britain, Land Of The Ever-Shrinking Home – Rupert Jones, The Guardian [article, 8 mins]
Tiny Houses Won’t Solve The Housing Crisis – Katy Preen, Data Driven Investor [article, 12 mins]

Discussion Questions

In what ways can housing be a barrier to access in higher education?
How can universities/students hold landlords accountable?
Should universities be obliged to provide affordable housing options/provide accommodation grants?
Are alternative solutions (e.g. Tiny houses, converting empty office blocks) viable ways of addressing the housing crisis?
Can you think of any good examples of housing solutions?

Resource Personalisation

Refer to examples within your own institution of issues with student accommodation: