Spain will build 1.258 university residences

The Ministers of Housing and of Education and Science sign agreements

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The Minister of Housing, Carme Chacón, and the Minister of Education and Science, Mercedes Cabrera, have signed agreements with the universities of Alcalá, Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura, Girona, and Menéndez Pelayo International University for the construction of 1.258 student residences. The two ministers also inaugurated the Information Day on University Housing, held at the Getafe campus of Carlos III University.

During her speech, the Minister of Housing pointed out that "Spain currently boasts the most highly educated and best-educated generations of young people in our history, but the problem of access to housing often limits the freedom and autonomy of university students." "For this reason," Chacón added, "the Government has been working to improve equal opportunities in access to university education, promoting geographical mobility and the choice of studies and universities. All of this is aimed at fulfilling the Bologna Process."

According to the minister, the University Housing Plan is a "live and constantly expanding program." In this regard, she highlighted the boost given to this program today with the signing of the new agreements, which will provide 496 homes at the University of Alcalá; 400 at the University of Extremadura; 200 at the University of Castilla-La Mancha; 70 at the University of Girona; and 92 at the Menéndez Pelayo International University. A total of 1.258 homes.

In her speech, the Minister of Housing recalled that the University Housing Plan, which is being carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Science, and in cooperation with the Autonomous Communities and the Universities, foresees the promotion of 10.000 studios for rent on campuses, so that young university students can access quality housing at an affordable price of 75 to 200 euros per month, integrated into the campus itself or in its area of ​​influence.

The agreements signed today add to those signed since the launch of the University Housing Program in February 2007. Since then, agreements have been signed with eleven universities in six autonomous communities for the construction of nearly 3.000 homes on campuses in 20 municipalities. The first university housing units are scheduled to be occupied this academic year, 2007-2008, on the campuses of the Autonomous University of Barcelona and the Autonomous University of Madrid. The Minister of Housing emphasized that "next month we will continue with the University of Lleida, and many others as well."

Finally, in conclusion, Chacón emphasized that "some twenty agreements have already been signed, and at least as many more remain. In just a few months, we will be able to say that the vast majority of Spanish universities will have joined this initiative." "There are 4.000 studies underway, and we will soon reach 10.000. These will be 10.000 university students broadening their horizons and improving their lives, their future, and the future of Spanish universities. We are committed to quality and excellence—essential ingredients for success, as you know," the Minister concluded.    

The Minister of Education and Science stated that this measure complements other initiatives aimed at "offering our university students every opportunity." To achieve this, she emphasized, "we must eliminate the barriers that prevent them from freely choosing which degrees they want to pursue, and at which university and with which program of study."                                              

Among these initiatives, Mercedes Cabrera also highlighted the new income-university loan program, "which will allow young people under 35 to finance their postgraduate studies without having to depend on family income," the reform of the Organic Law of Universities approved in April, and the new organization of university studies adapted to the European Higher Education Area.

 

10.000 university residences

The University Housing program envisions the construction of 10.000 university apartments with rents ranging from 75 to 200 euros. The goal is to create a public stock of subsidized university rental housing to promote the emancipation and independence of young people, improve equal opportunities by facilitating mobility and choice of studies and universities, and involve universities in housing policies so they can offer comprehensive services to the university community.

This program represents an investment by the Ministry of Housing of approximately 300 million euros. Through this program, students will be provided with practical one- or two-bedroom university apartments with shared common areas. Monthly rent for these apartments will range from 75 to 200 euros, depending on the type of accommodation and the city where the student lives.

The housing will be on a rotating basis with a five-year lease term, which can be extended for one more year, and will be primarily aimed at young university students, but also at other members of the university community such as researchers, visiting professors, Erasmus students, summer courses, etc.

The allocation of these homes must respect the criteria established in the Housing Applicant Registers and the homes must incorporate the innovations required in the Technical Building Code.