Student apartment shortage: rents rise rapidly in Biberach!

Student apartment shortage: rents rise rapidly in Biberach!

The semester at the Biberach University (HBC) has started and looking for accommodation for students is a hot topic! Elena Kirchner and Rico von Selzam are right in the middle of it. While Rico has made a real bargain directly opposite the university with 355 euros for his room in a flat share, the reality looks very different for many others. "I heard of fellow students that it is not that easy to find something affordable," he says. In fact, shared rooms in Biberach can already cost up to 500 euros!

Elena Kirchner has opted for a one-room apartment in a new, private dormitory, paying 550 euros warm. "It is similar to a hotel room, but it fits for me," she says. WLAN and electricity are included, but you have to pay extra for the washing machine. The two students agree: the prices are high, but still acceptable compared to large unisted cities. However, the problem remains the search: "A lot goes away," warns Elena. If you are not looking for in time, you could otherwise land in a youth hostel.

The challenges on the housing market

The Chancellor of the HBC, Thomas Schwäble, confirms the difficulties of the students when looking for an accommodation. "The percentage of student living is too low for the size of the city," he says, pointing out that many students have to live outside of Biberach. This leads to commuting, which is not only ecologically questionable, but also increases the parking pressure around the university. However, the university cannot invest in student apartments, and the Studierendenwerk in Ulm does not see the need. "Something has to happen from a private side," says Schwäble.

The future, however, looks a little better: the HBC plans to increase capacity for international students and to expand the dormitory by 20 places. Until then, the search for accommodation remains a real challenge for many!