LCC Officer Sophia Nasif sat on the student housing crisis panel in Parliament.
Representatives from Arts Students' Union attended the recent APPG (All-Party Parliamentary Group), titled:
LCC Officer, Sophia Nasif, was a panelist for the session. She was specifically representing London students, postgraduates and students with caring responsibilities.
There had been a previous APPG on students and the Renter's Reform Bill, which raised wider issues around student housing, leading to this meeting. Some of the issues discussed included:
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The student housing shortage
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Competition for housing
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Spiraling rents and the effect on students
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University vs private accommodation
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Guarantors
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Substandard housing
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Predatory landlords
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Hidden homelessness
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Accessiblity for disabled students.
Sophia and Chloe Wilkinson-Silk (Arts SU Advice Manager) provided evidence and case studies about the London student experience at UAL. This included data collected in our recent Private Renter's report. Our work around Guaruntor's Scheme was also mentioned. You can read Sophia's full opening statement for the panel here.
The APPG was well attended by representatives from the NUS, Student Unions and Universities from across the UK. Unfortunately there was a low turnout from Members of Parliament due to a scheduling clash with a discussion in the House of Commons. However, Arts SU will be submitting a report including data and case studies to the APPG to be put forward to MPs and the Housing Minister to consider.
