Estate Living September 2016 Digital Issue | Page 8

student

accommodation

GRADUATE
with an investment in

In 2009, the Department of Higher
Education and Training (DHET) confirmed
that there was a chronic shortage of student
accommodation in and around universities
and campuses in South Africa. Fast forward
to 2016, and the situation remains largely
unchanged, with a constant influx of students
from all around the country. The DHET has
added that often students are forced to live
in facilities that are unsafe, far from campus,
overcrowded and not conducive to studying.
It has also confirmed that the shortage of
accommodation has had a direct impact on
poor performance and high dropout rates at
some universities.

According to statistics, there is currently only
enough student accommodation for 100 000
students, which meets just 18 percent of
the current demand. What happens to the
remaining 430 000 students who also need
a place to stay? The DHET is transparent
about not being able to meet the increased
demand for student accommodation.
Reasons cited are the lack of funding, rising
maintenance costs, ageing residences, not
enough space for new buildings and the
prioritising of academic facilities ahead of
new residences.