Students spend around 323 euros (21st Social Survey, 2016) per month on rent. The average monthly rent in halls of residence is 266.83 euros including all additional costs.

Dormitories are used by 9.52 per cent of students nationwide. In comparison: 50 per cent of all German students live in a shared flat or in double apartments/family flats, 32 per cent alone in their own flat and 18 per cent in single rooms in corridor communities.

Difficult accommodation situation

The student accommodation situation varies from region to region. The most difficult place to find living space is in big cities in western Germany and in traditional university towns. First-year students, students with low incomes and international students face the biggest difficulties finding appropriate accommodation. These groups depend on places in halls of residence.

The Deutsches Studierendenwerk therefore calls on the federal and state governments to create a subsidy program with subsidies for the creation of low-cost, student-friendly dormitories based on the BAföG housing allowance. The Studierendenwerke need more state support for the new construction and renovation. In total, the Deutsches Studierendenwerk estimates a state subsidy of 1.45 billion euros for the construction and renovation of student dormitories.

Social mandate

Unlike investors, the Studierendenwerke, with their more than 1,800 halls of residence and around 196,000 student places, do not pursue profit motives. Due to their social mandate, they aim for low-priced rents and allocate housing according to social need, not according to the creditworthiness of the tenant.