Government cites participation by Akademiska Hus in student housing initiative
Monday, 28 August 2017As a result of Akademiska Hus’ involvement, 28,000 residences are being planned for completion by 2026, including 21,000 student housing units. Peter Eriksson, Minister for Housing and Digital Development, and Helene Hellmark Knutsson, Minister for Higher Education and Research, spoke about these long-term plans at a press conference held on the KTH Campus.
Participation by Akademiska Hus is a direct consequence of the expanded mandate that the company received in 2014. An initiative is underway that will enable construction of 11,000 student housing units by 2021. Akademiska Hus estimates that it will be possible for the company to build 6,500 student housing units. The company also has the capacity to contribute land that will be sold or leased for additional construction projects. In addition, opportunities have been identified to build an additional 10,000 student housing units between 2021 and 2026; Akademiska Hus will build about half of these units.
“Student accommodation is a key component of a vibrant campus, and the housing shortage itself is a major obstacle for the development of higher education institutions. Nobody should have to turn down the opportunity to study at a university because they don’t have anywhere to live. This issue is enormously important for the higher education institutions so here we have to collaborate even more and do everything we can to produce as many student housing units as possible,” says Kerstin Lindberg Göransson, President, Akademiska Hus.
“This initiative will bring the student housing situation into balance within a few years,” says Peter Eriksson, Minister for Housing and Digital Development.
“Akademiska Hus has done an excellent job of embracing its mandate. Increasing its student housing holdings entails a major change for the company. “We are increasing the number of students admitted to the HEIs, but that means more housing must be built,” says Helene Hellmark Knutsson.
To date, Akademiska Hus has approved investments of SEK 860 million in student housing.
Land for other housing
In addition to student housing, Akademiska Hus believes that the company has the potential to contribute land for 7,000 ordinary homes.
The state-owned property companies carried out a land inventory in 2016 to identify land held in reserve that is considered suitable for residential construction. Akademiska Hus has land holdings in Uppsala, Gothenburg, Umeå and Linköping. The local planning process has been initiated in a few places. The intention is to sell the land to housing stakeholders.