AFFORDABLE STUDENT ACCOMMODATION: A PERSPECTIVE OF TERTIARY STUDENTS

Abstract

The cost of accommodation is becoming a challenge to many tertiary students, leading to the student's demonstration in institutions. The study's primary purpose is to establish students' views regarding the affordability of their accommodation. A quantitative approach was adopted for the study by using closed-ended and open-ended questionnaires to collect data from 98 tertiary students from the University of the Free State. Statistical analysis in Excel was used to analyse the data collected. The findings reveal that students generally perceive their rental values to be affordable. There is no perception variance of accommodation affordability for employed and unemployed off-campus students. What students pay currently for their accommodation seems to match the affordable amount. Again, off-campus students also perceive their accommodation's affordable monthly rental value between R2000 – R3999. The government and university authorities should consider what students consider affordable when partnering with private developers to prevent them from charging students exorbitant rent for the available space, hindering less privileged students' ability to afford it. The survey was applied to only the University of the Free State students in Bloemfontein; however, the results may apply to other universities in South Africa. This study gives the government and tertiary institution management bodies insight into negotiating with private developers to ensure rental values are within the affordable amount. The study also revealed the rental amount considered affordable by the students, which may guide private developers in future developments cost of the student's accommodation to make their businesses more sustainable.