Initiated by a number of German Studentenwerk organizations, the campaign themed "Kopf braucht Dach" which is aimed at low priced rents for student housing, runs for some time now. It is an appeal to politics on federal and state level to support Studentenwerk in building and maintaining affordable student housing.
At Studenenwerk Leipzig, the rent for one room in a student hall of residence amounts to 230 EUR on average (including utilities) which is below the BAföG housing lump sum of 250 EUR.
Almost all of our student halls were completely modernized with the help of state subsidies in the 90’s. At the moment and in upcoming years, there is a huge need for modernization in many student halls at the same time, especially in terms of kitchens, bathrooms and supply lines. Prefabricated high risers (Plattenbau) are particularly affected. In previous years one house each was modernized at student residences Straße des 18. Oktober and Johannes-R.-Becher-Straße. Student hall Tarostraße 14 is currently being modernized.
On the one hand, we have to fund maintenance measures completely from our own capital resources since state subsidies were discontinued in 2003. On the other hand, modernization demands and building costs increase: Since we are reliant on our own capital resources in terms of modernization, we will not be able to keep our rents at a low price after modernizing. One room in a modernized shared flat in student hall of residence Straße des 18. Oktober amounts from 270 to 290 EUR per month and an apartment is at 300 EUR.
In order to keep rents at a low price in student halls, Studentenwerk organisations in Saxony urgently need further state subsidies for modernization!
Students can support us and the general campaign of the Studentenwerk organisations here:
