This year's CPH:DOX documentary film festival features an interesting science film programme. As a member of IDA, you get access to 7 online screenings.
More than one in four students face difficulties getting a roof over their head
The lack of student housing has become so widespread that more than one in four students in technical and science programs encountered housing problems to some or a large extent. It shows a new survey among nearly 3,000 students made by the Danish Society of Engineers, IDA.
The severe housing situation is worst in the metropolitan capital area, but it is an issue in all the university towns, which is why IDA student spokesperson, Mathias Botoft Hansen, is excited about how the recently appointed government will solve the problem.
“Students' conditions to focus on their education will be greatly diminished if they face a deficient or insecure housing situation. If you cannot live reasonably cheap within a reasonable distance of your place of study, there is a greater risk that the house of cards will start to crumble, and therefore something must be done now,” he says.
During the past election campaign, The Social Democratic Party raised the issue of temporary "roof-over-the-head guarantee" for students, and the party's proposal simultaneously suggest providing the municipalities with the necessary tools to build more permanent housing for youth. Apparently, these ideas have not been transferred to the memorandum of understanding agreed between the Social Democrats, the Red-Green Alliance, SF and the Danish Social-Liberal Party, and it upsets Mathias Botoft Hansen.
"It must be an omission, but now we have to wait for what Minister of Housing, Kaare Dybvad, announces," he claims.
The survey also indicates that one in five changed residence more than three times during their studies, and that nomadic life, according to IDA’s student spokesman, indicates that student housing has been a low priority for too long.
“Moving frequently is an obvious stress factor. We, students, do not need much more than a bed, a desk and head overhead. We can also be satisfied with temporary housing such as rebuilt containers. Nonetheless, it must be stated that obviously more permanent student housing need to be built,” says Mathias Botoft Hansen.