Anyone who has seen the start of school approaching while still having to live far away from the school place in their childhood home remembers the panic that accompanies not having a place of their own to live. Everyone also knows that there will always be places to live, even in the tightest housing market, if you have the money to pay for the house. Most students don’t have that.
Everyone also knows that there will always be places to live, even in the tightest housing market, if you have the money to pay for the house. Most students don’t have that.
The logic of the market leads to its own absurdity here too: students who, with the help of their wealthy parents, can afford to buy a house, happily rent a room or two to other students, who then end up paying back the loan to the one who is already well off. When rent is expensive, and student accommodation is scarce, it is best to buy it for those who can afford it. It is part of the common sense of the market. This is not to say that it is generally reasonable student policy.
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The solution to this is to quickly build more student housing, so that young people can escape the housing market in economically weak years. More student housing also indicates that society values future nurses, lawyers, teachers, dentists, future researchers and anyone else who becomes an important part of the social fabric. Student housing is also a place where young people in a new city can find community and avoid loneliness.
Figures from July this year He explains that less than 15 percent get student housing. The number of students in the Knowledge Society is increasing, but the number of new student residences is not following suit. The goal of the Norwegian Students Organization (NSO) is for one in five students to be able to live outside the private rental market. In the private market, prices increased by 5% in the second quarter of 2022 compared to last year. In Oslo, the average price is close to NOK 15,000. Accommodation or a room costs between 8,000 and 9,000 NOK.
The number of students in the Knowledge Society is increasing, but the number of new student residences is not following suit.
Unfortunately, Higher Education Minister Ola Borten Moe (Sp) is more concerned with blaming others than taking responsibility.
He told TV2 that the host municipalities, The Oslo municipality in particular should facilitate further construction. Oslo Municipality disagrees with the minister and points out that the construction of student housing is a government task.
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Borten Moe also blames the student unionswho believes he must build more houses for his financial rights.
But the Swedish Confederation of Trade Unions states that increasing construction costs mean the state’s fixed cost framework for such projects is insufficient.
Ensuring that students have a place to live and that young people are not left to market forces is primarily a political responsibility. Take it.
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