In Edinburgh, a group of passionate students has taken a stand against the escalating housing crisis that is affecting their community. During a recent meeting with the City of Edinburgh Council, students voiced their frustration over the high costs associated with purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA). They conveyed their belief that developers should not be profiting from their essential housing needs, emphasising the pressing requirement for more affordable housing options in the city.
Student Voices Amplified
One of the students, Abbie, articulated this sentiment clearly, stating, “Purpose-built student accommodation doesn’t work for students – we need affordable housing, too.” Abbie’s remarks came in support of a motion proposed by SNP councillor Danny Aston, who highlighted the severity of the housing crisis faced by students in Edinburgh. Cllr Aston noted that privately owned PBSA projects are increasingly prevalent in the city, yet they are becoming unaffordable, with rental prices soaring to around £1,400 or more per month.
Calls for Change
Cllr Aston’s motion sought to mandate that all new PBSA developments include a similar proportion of affordable housing as required for other types of developments. He referenced an existing policy in London, implemented by Mayor Sadiq Khan, which stipulates that at least 35% of bedspaces in PBSA projects must be designated as ‘Affordable Student Accommodation’. This requirement increases to 50% if the development occupies public or industrial land.
Furthermore, Cllr Aston advocated for private developers of PBSA to be subject to business rates, arguing that they should contribute fairly to the city’s infrastructure, especially given the substantial profit margins they are reportedly earning. He commented, “Almost every other business is subject to business rates, so isn’t it fair that PBSA should be as well?” Cllr Aston’s stance underscores the significant imbalance in the housing market, where developers are drawn towards profitable PBSA projects rather than contributing to the urgent need for mainstream housing.
Concerns Raised by Students
Students from Slurp, an advocacy group for action on homelessness based at the University of Edinburgh, shared their worries that the proliferation of PBSA is not only inflating rents for students but is also driving up housing costs across the city. They expressed serious concerns regarding the lack of tenant rights in PBSA properties, which potentially exposes students to unsafe living conditions and the threat of eviction during summer months when many contracts end.
Abbie further articulated the students’ frustrations by stating, “As students, we’ve had enough of developers profiting off our housing needs. We’ve had enough of the council facilitating this.” The students’ passionate plea reflects a broader sentiment that the current housing framework is failing to meet their needs, calling for immediate action from local authorities.
Council Response and Future Implications
Despite the compelling arguments presented by the students, the SNP motion did not receive the support it sought. Instead, an amendment proposed by the Labour administration was favoured, which stated that the matter is already under consideration by council officers who have undertaken an extensive review of the situation. This motion also agreed that council officials would brief the Planning Committee on how to implement an affordable tenure policy akin to that in the London Plan.
Additionally, a proposal from the Green group to expand the scope of affordable housing to include student housing co-operatives was discussed, highlighting the growing recognition of the need for diverse solutions to the housing crisis.