University accommodation: a bed for up to 850 euros a month

Whilst 40,000 university accommodation units have been built over the last 20 years, providing just 2,000 beds at a cost of 80,000 euros per bed, in recent years, largely using PNRR funds but not exclusively, the target of creating over 60,000 beds has been met, of which 33,000 are already ready and the remaining 30,000 will be ready by 2027. The figures were disclosed by Manuela Manenti, Special Commissioner for University Accommodation, who appeared today before the Chamber of Deputies’ Culture and Education Committee.

Over 40 per cent of these accommodation units – as emerged during the hearing – were built in the southern regions, and the monthly cost can be up to 850 euros for a single room (including utilities), whilst a twin room costs around 70 per cent less than a single room. Rates are fixed for 12 years – the duration of the university hall of residence management agreement – and, during this period, only increases in line with ISTAT figures are permitted. Thirty per cent of the beds are reserved under the ‘right to study’ scheme, where prices are much lower, at around 200–250 euros. A grant of 20,000 euros over three years has been allocated to support this price-capped scheme. The Ministry of Universities has added 300 million euros to the funding already allocated, bringing the total figure for the construction of the new halls of residence to 1,200 million euros.

Minister Bernini has also secured greater flexibility compared with the rules initially envisaged, as well as the opening of the programme to the public, who accounted for 9–10 per cent of participants. “As we have pointed out on several occasions, there is a real problem regarding the costs borne by students for accommodation funded by the NRRP, which remain far too high. We believe this poses a real risk of undermining students’ right to education at numerous universities,” notes Irene Manzi of the PD. For the University Students’ Union, a maximum figure of 850 euros “is actually higher than the private market average. We also continue to wonder why a time limit of just 12 years has been set for students’ use of the accommodation, and what the intended use of these properties will be once this period has ended.”
The Ministry of Universities, for its part, points out that there are “two properties that reach the maximum threshold of 850 euros. The national average price is 540 euros for single rooms and 388 for twin rooms”. And this amount includes utilities, internet connection, cleaning and other services.