Scottish politician warns of student housing crisis as more than 25,000 bed spaces needed

Scottish politicians have raised alarms about the growing urban housing shortages, warning that thousands of students are at risk of homelessness due to the lack of affordable and adequate housing options.

A new report for the Scottish Parliament’s cross-party group on housing identified a shortage of more than 25,000 student bed spaces across the country’s largest cities. Earlier this year, the Scottish Government declared a national housing emergency after several local authorities made similar announcements.

The housing crisis in Glasgow, in particular, has prompted significant concerns from local lawmakers, including Martin Rhodes, the newly elected Member of Parliament (MP) for Glasgow North. In an interview conducted by The Glasgow Guardian, Rhodes shared his insights on the housing challenges facing Glasgow’s students, explaining that the problem cannot be solely solved by universities.

“There’s a huge issue with student housing,” Rhodes said. “More and more students are being told to ‘go home’ because there simply isn’t anywhere for them to live. It’s absolutely bizarre—students have worked hard to get into university, and yet they can’t find anywhere to stay.”

The report also found that the deficit in accommodation, compounded by a lack of affordable and accessible options for students with additional support needs or mature students with families, has left many facing precarious living situations. It further pointed out that universities were relying on “no more than informed guesswork” to assess whether local private rented sector accommodation could meet their students’ needs.

Rhodes, who has lived in Glasgow for over 30 years, highlighted his deep connection to the city, noting his long tenure teaching politics at various universities, including Glasgow Caledonian University. His experience teaching students returning to education, especially in evening classes, has given him a unique perspective on the diverse educational needs of Glasgow’s population.

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“The housing market in Glasgow is distorted. Universities can’t just wash their hands of it,” Rhodes emphasised. “We need to focus on building housing for everyone, not just students. It’s a systemic problem that affects many groups, not just those attending universities.”

While the report outlined a shortfall of 13,852 bed spaces in Edinburgh, 6,093 in Glasgow, and 6,084 in Dundee, it also acknowledged the challenges faced by specific student groups. For instance, students with additional support needs or those balancing family responsibilities face even greater hurdles in finding suitable housing. The report stressed the need for “comprehensive” data on student accommodation, including market trends, affordability, and the provision of houses in multiple occupation, to help guide decision-making and address these imbalances.

“There’s far too little information available, in general, on students’ housing needs in Scotland,” the report concluded, calling for a more joined-up approach between universities, councils, housing providers, students, local communities, and the Scottish Government.

Rhodes echoed these concerns, calling for greater coordination to tackle the housing crisis. “We need the right type of housing in the right places,” he said. “This isn’t just a problem for students—it’s a problem for everyone. The solution requires collaboration from all levels, not just universities.”

In response to the growing crisis, local political leaders have called for more proactive measures, including rent controls, cooperative student housing, and guaranteed emergency accommodation for homeless students. Lawrence Williams, co-president of Slurp Edinburgh, praised the research as a “promising first step” but urged immediate action.

“We urgently need bold measures like rent controls, cooperative student housing, and guaranteed emergency accommodation for homeless students,” Mr. Williams said.

The study also recommended establishing non-profit, city-wide one-stop shops to guide students to housing options best suited to their needs, as well as closer collaboration between higher education institutions and local authorities to ensure that student numbers align with available housing.

Rhodes remains optimistic, stressing that there’s a chance to make meaningful changes. “We have the opportunity to make a difference. It’s about creating the right conditions for everyone to have access to the housing they need.”

As the situation continues to escalate, the push for more affordable and accessible housing options for students becomes ever more critical to the success of higher education in Scotland. The challenge now lies in the ability of local governments, universities, and the private sector to collaborate and ensure that students are no longer left out of the housing conversation.

Featured image via NUS Scotland on X