European Affordable Housing Plan must address the impact of housing insecurity on higher education

For this reason, the European University Association has responded to the European Commission’s public consultation on the European Affordable Housing Plan.

As EUA’s input notes, these challenges directly impact learning conditions and wellbeing, as well as study mobility and collaboration between higher education institutions. For example, the challenge of finding affordable accommodation abroad and risk of losing their home accommodation impede and discourage students from studying abroad. Students are also exposed to a range of malpractice, such as overpricing and fraud, while Erasmus+ grants and allowances often fall short of covering basic housing expenses.

Lack of affordable housing also hampers some of the European Union’s key policy goals and initiatives in higher education. These include efforts to foster inclusion and equity, boost internationalisation and attract international talent, as well as a wide range of exchange and collaboration actions supported by Erasmus+.

To address these challenges, the European Affordable Housing Plan should:

• Include student housing in EU housing strategies
• Promote targeted investment to support universities and local authorities in building or renovating
• Foster university partnerships with cities, local governments, private investors, and other stakeholders
• Encourage good practices and peer learning, including to prevent malpractice

Addressing housing insecurity must be part of a broader commitment to social cohesion and excellence in education and research. Indeed, affordable, quality housing is a key enabler of inclusive, equitable and sustainable higher education and a prerequisite for Europe’s competitiveness and resilience, as well as the success of the Union of Skills.

Download EUA’s input to the consultation