Tackling Housing Problems takes more than words

During the council meeting last Thursday, we discussed two pieces on student housing. Earlier this month, we sent a pressing letter to the University, the Municipality of Groningen and SSH. The letter was supported by the Groningen Student Union and ESN Groningen. We urged all parties to find joint solutions for the housing problem

The measures proposed in the pieces were unsatisfying for us. They mostly focused on improving the information provision to both students and SSH. The university wants to improve the newly launched website athomeingroningen.com further and to provide better, long-term enrollment estimates to SSH, so SSH can arrange sufficient housing for international students.

During the University Council, the Board of Directors asked us to cooperate with them on improving the information provision about housing towards international students. Furthermore, we were invited to help shape the long term plans of the University regarding housing. The Board also remains in talks with all relevant parties to find more rooms.

Solving the housing problems can’t be done overnight. We’re happy that the university now sees more urgency in improving international student housing. A lot of things are now out of our hands, but we will follow the university’s progress critically and will cooperate with then where necessary. But all these actions must result in more available rooms for students. Not only for first year and exchange students, but for all international students.

While we remain vigilant on these issues, we also welcome your ideas and solutions to these problems. You can send your thoughts on this matter to housing@lijstcalimero.nl.