{
  "id": 4815615,
  "title": "Focus on student housing costs, shortages and NSFAS",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/focus-on-student-housing-costs-shortages-and-nsfas",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-01T08:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/sunday-tribune/news/2026-09-01-focus-on-student-housing-costs-shortages-and-nsfas/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The importance of student housing was the focal point of a recent discussion at the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training. The committee addressed the critical issue of student accommodation, which is widely acknowledged as a determinant of student success for universities and technical vocational education and training (TVET) colleges. The committee also delved into the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) student accommodation cap, funding, and accreditation, as well as the factors influencing accommodation costs across the sector.\n\nThe Higher Education and Training Department highlighted a shortage of student accommodation at higher education and training institutions, coupled with unsatisfactory living conditions in most existing student accommodation. Student accommodation can be owned or leased by institutions, as well as privately-owned accredited housing situated on or near campuses. However, there is a lack of comprehensive data on the actual number of student accommodation facilities per province; the focus is primarily on the number of beds.\n\nIn 2019, a housing provision survey estimated the demand for university student beds at 362,381, while the need for TVET student beds was estimated at 182,748 in 2018. The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) reported that government partnerships with private student accommodation providers have yielded positive results. By 2026, the estimated bed capacity at 26 public universities is 525,497, comprising institution-owned (135,353), institution-leased (68,102), and accredited privately-owned (331,945) beds.\n\nUnfortunately, 9,907 university-owned beds will be unoccupied due to ongoing renovations, leaving 125,446 university-owned beds in 2026. The department anticipates that 3,100 additional student beds will be completed in 2027 across four institutions: Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Tshwane University of Technology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, and University of Limpopo. A survey conducted in March 2026 revealed that 13% of TVET respondents indicated good conditions, 48% fair conditions, and 39% poor conditions.\n\nImmediate actions and preparations for 2027 will include a hybrid model, considering NSFAS protocols and consultation with universities, TVET colleges, the department, and private student accommodation providers. According to NSFAS, student accommodation funding for 2023-2026 is R18 billion for universities and R3.5 billion for TVETs. Private investment has expanded the supply of beds, particularly in urban centers, where old commercial buildings have been converted into functional student communities. To address the shortage, the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, expects the department and NSFAS to submit a reconciled national accommodation baseline within 60 days.",
  "summary": "Parliament’s higher education committee heard that student accommodation shortages, rising costs and uneven conditions remain major barriers",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}