At the start of the lecture in Hesse The apartment question also arises for many students. According to a study by the Moses Mendelssohn Institute (MMI), students in Frankfurt pay an average of 665 euros for a shared apartment-nationwide second place to Munich and well above the Hesse-wide average of 508 euros.
“Studying in large West German cities is a luxury goods,” says Timo Wenninger, speaker for living space in the general student committee (AStA) at the Goethe University Frankfurt. Through the high Rent Find a social selection when looking for an apartment. “People from socio -economically worse families are structurally denied access to these universities because access to the housing market is so difficult,” adds Wenninger.
Effects on the quality of the studies
Instead of having important experiences for personal development in this new phase of life, more and more young people would stay with parents for financial reasons and accept long driving times. “In addition to studying, some have to work so much for their rent that the quality of the course suffers massively,” explains Wenninger. Leisure time, the exchange with fellow students and political engagement fell by the wayside.
The need for affordable living space is large, says Wenninger. Above all, he sees politics as a duty. When it comes to BAföG, the AStA of the Goethe University calls for support independent of parents. In addition, the flat rate of 380 euros must be raised in the maximum rate. The flat rate is not only significantly below the average rent, but is also only entitled to “a fraction” of the BAföG recipients.
Long waiting list at the Studierendenwerk
According to the Studierendenwerk Frankfurt, there are currently 3,487 dormitories for more than 70,000 students in the entire Rhein-Main area. According to a spokeswoman, around 2,500 students are still on the waiting list for a dormitory. In Frankfurt, 3,279 places have 56,771 students. In addition, the students tries to get private landlords and students in contact with the online portal “Looking for living space”.
«It depends on every place. Our dormitories are full, »says Franziska Busch from the Marburg Studierendenwerk. Anyone who is currently applying for one of the 2,100 places in the dormitories of the student union will have the chance of accommodation from June. It is all the happier that on April 28 a dormitory with 113 additional places can be reopened after two and a half years of renovation work.
According to the MMI study, the average price for a shared apartment in Marburg in the summer semester is 430 euros. At the Studierendenwerk, a dormitory costs an average of between 250 and 300 euros.
Tense location in Darmstadt
In Darmstadt The situation is particularly tense, says Jannis Kreue from the AStA of the Technical University of Darmstadt. The MMI study determined an average price of 480 euros for a shared apartment for Darmstadt. In the “most melieviest districts”, 400 euros were incurred, reports Kreise. In a better location, a room could cost up to 800 euros. “The living market is a disaster,” sums up the AStA speaker.
Most students would get there with a part -time job. However, the quality of the course often suffers from the double load. “We have a lot of students, some of whom live to the borders of Hesse and beyond and commute and commute here,” adds Clear.
In order to relax the situation, the Darmstadt student union has set up its own living space exchange, which is intended to convey between private landlords and those seeking housing. With around 40,000 students, however, this is more of a “drop on the hot stone,” says the AStA speaker.
Student works Hessen are calling for Bafög reform
A few weeks ago, the Studierendenwerk inaugurated a new dorm in Kassel. “Wherever new houses or places are added, they are urgently needed,” says Brigitte Schwarz from the Studierendenwerk Kassel, which is also the representation of all Hesse -wide students.
The current situation at the start of the summer semester is “anything but good”. Especially for international students who can often only start searching after their arrival, the search is difficult.
The Hessian students therefore call for a fundamental BAföG reform combined with a significant increase and de-bureaucratization. “A strong BAföG would be a clear commitment to securing the future of the business and research location of Germany- after all, it would go directly to tomorrow’s specialists,” says Schwarz.
Financial situation of the students “precarious”
At the Gießen Studierendenwerk Gießen, the fact that state financing aids are essential for many students are also evident in the BAföG applications. Compared to the previous year, the number of applications has increased by more than ten percent, reports managing director Gero Lottermann. “In our study financing advice, it becomes very clear that the financial situation of the students is still precarious. Students are often forced to work – this often extends their studies, »says Lottermann.
The 2,680 dormitory places of the student union are almost occupied. “There are 738 people on the list of applicants, whom we are currently unable to offer a dormitory according to your wishes,” explains the managing director. In order for this to change in the future, the federal and state governments would have to invest more money in affordable living space. “Unfortunately, the current funding opportunities have not yet been available,” says Lottermann.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 250421-930-454196/1
