Schleswig-Holstein: Lack of living space for students before the winter semester

Schleswig-Holstein: Lack of living space for students before the winter semester

The search for accommodation in Schleswig-Holstein is becoming increasingly pressing for students. Against the background of the upcoming winter semester, many are on the desperate search for an affordable place to live. The problem itself is not new, but the current situation remains alarming, report those responsible for the Schleswig-Holstein Studentenwerk. Apartments in dormitories are particularly in demand, but the number of places available is terrifyingly low.

Last year there was an unprecedented rush to the dormitories, with almost 6,000 applications. However, the reality is sobering: only about 2,000 places were available. The forecasts of the Studentenwerk look similar for the current year. In Kiel there are currently over 800 applicants on the waiting lists, while in Lübeck and Flensburg the numbers with 480 and 300 applications are almost alarming.

lack of dormitories and the call for solution

foreign students are faced with special hurdles

The housing shortage affects primarily students from abroad. According to Sven Tode, President of the Flensburg University of Applied Sciences, around 15 percent of students come from other countries. These young people often have no contacts or family members on site that they could support in finding an apartment. Many landlords tend to award apartments to people with a longer residence status, which also makes the situation more difficult for international students.

The Studentenwerk recommends that the seeker not only rely on online platforms, but also to explore alternative ways. Analogous to rent, the search for available living opportunities on city trays should also be considered. Newspaper ads can often show overlooked options. In addition, the experts advise potential landlords to present a guarantee of their parents to increase their own chances of accommodation.

In order to alleviate the lack of living space, the “Living for Help” project is also considered, in which students live with older people or families and help in the household in return. This could be an interesting solution for everyone involved, but also holds their own challenges.

The situation is existential for many students, especially at a time when the pressure is hardly bearable due to increasing living costs and uncertainty on the housing market. It remains to be hoped that solutions will be found in the coming months to counteract this tense situation.