In recognition of the need to stimulate supply of student accommodation, the Government has supported my Department to develop policy responses to activate delivery of new and additional student accommodation for public higher education institutions.
In November 2022, I received Government approval for funding to assist the TUs in developing a student accommodation programme, which will be based on a regional needs and feasibility assessment. The Higher Education Authority (HEA) appointed consultants to undertake the first phase of this work.
The objective of the feasibility study is to establish an accurate “as is” account of available student accommodation supply; project future supply and demand for accommodation; and to ascertain what opportunities are available to meet the future demand for student accommodation.
Phase one of this study, a supply and demand analysis, is being finalised by the HEA. This Phase involved extensive data-gathering across all TUs, Universities and Colleges, comprising a data collection framework, 1-to-1 meetings with HEI representatives, and a centralised student survey on student accommodation.
In parallel with the data collection, the HEA is overseeing the development of a standardised Preliminary Business Case (PBC) process and templates. The intention of this work is to develop a programmatic approach to facilitate future TU student accommodation proposals. It is proposed that this will be achieved by using the demand analysis from the data collection process to inform a framework of delivery models and funding options as part of the second phase of the study.
Phase two of this study is to design and assess a framework for student accommodation for the TU sector and will commence this week with correspondence issuing to the sector outlining the timelines and requirements for this work. In addition, in the coming weeks a call for student accommodation proposals will be sought from the sector for assessment as part of process.
The Housing Finance Agency Act 1981, as amended, facilitates lending by the HFA to institutions of higher education, including TUs. My Department is working with relevant Government Departments to explore the development of a specific borrowing framework for TUs. The options arising from the TU feasibility study will inform this ongoing engagement. It is anticipated that any borrowing framework would in the first instance prioritise the provision of student accommodation in line with commitments in the Government's Housing for All plan.
