More than 12,000 students need a place to live in the autumn, and the big cities are feeling the pressure from people looking for a place to live. In Bergen, the student association is in the process of setting up temporary beds to meet the demand. – We are preparing for 21 beds. In addition, we have three other locations that we can use, so in total we can get up to 92 beds, says Tord Hatland, area manager at Saman Fantoft. Common areas such as the canteen and meeting room are now being converted into dormitories for the students. Last year, the solution to the crisis was mattresses on the floor. – It will be a bit like a Norway Cup arrangement. – We will ensure that those who are here are well looked after, adds Hatland. Here, a common area in the student village at Fantoft is converted into a dormitory. Photo: Brynjar Mangor Myrtveit Osgjerd / news Housing increases There are around 3,400 students queuing for student housing in Bergen. This is a significant increase from previous years. Last year there were 2,900 in the queue. Chairman of the student ship Saman, Amalie Lunde, says the situation is critical. – We expect that the queue will increase even more when the response from Samordna admission comes, she says. – We are excited about how long people will have to live here this year, so we want to make it as comfortable as possible. The dormitories are an offer that will last until August. Board chair of the student ship Saman, Amalie Lunde, and area manager at Saman Fantoft, Tord Hatland will make it clear for several students who need a place to live. Photo: Brynjar Mangor Myrtveit Osgjerd / news Number of students queuing for student housing in Oslo: approx. 7500 Bergen: approx. 3400 Trondheim: approx. 450 Stavanger: approx. 890 Kristiansand: approx. 730 More precise figures are difficult to provide as the situation changes daily. Too little is being built – It has been slow with regulations in Bergen in recent years, which means that we have a little too few projects underway. The aim is to build 2,000 new dwellings before 2030, but we see that it is going too slowly, says Lunde. She explains that the subsidy for housing construction has decreased by 10 per cent from 2022 to 2023. At the same time, land and building costs have become more expensive. – It is a dilemma for us. Should we build expensively, which affects the students. Or should we stop building, he asks. Are you struggling to get hold of housing? Yes, I’m still looking No, I’ve got a place to live Maybe, I’m on a waiting list Show result Demanding rental market Professor of economics at NTNU, Are Oust explains that there are several factors that influence why students have difficulty finding a place to live to the start of studies. – There is a lower supply of housing, in addition to the fact that there is a large number of Ukrainian refugees who also need a place to live. The combination of fewer rental homes and increased demand makes the situation demanding, he says. – It has become less profitable to rent out houses, and many of the landlords have chosen to sell their properties. Thus, the number of residential properties is not sufficient to cover the needs of everyone who wants to rent Crisis vs. good and bad In Sogndal and Førde, there is not as much demand for student housing. Just under a month before the start of studies, there are approximately 40 houses that are still vacant. Studentskipnaden is struggling to get all the flats rented out because the students have good access to places to live – the rental market in Sogndal is good, and the prices are at a level that makes it easier for the students, says Lunde. Although there is a slight concern that some houses may be empty until the start of studies, she believes that this will be resolved. – We do not notice the same pressure in these study cities, but normally it will fill up during the summer. Here they have ensured that the fire safety measures are in place before the students arrive Photo: Brynjar Mangor Myrtveit Osgjerd / news Published 11.07.2024, at 22.09
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The Student Ship Service Together turn up beds – news Vestland
