Homelessness amongst Students in Higher Education: Time for a New Research Agenda?

The extent and causes of poverty and homelessness among students in UK Higher Education (HE) urgently require investigation and solutions, because the legacies
of COVID-19 and the cost of living crisis have exacerbated pressures on students that have been growing for many years. The Higher Education Policy Institute (Hanna, 2023) reports that, in a website audit of the 140 Universities in the UK, 27% are operating a food bank, 11% are giving out vouchers, and over 50% offering discounts on food in recognition of rising poverty. A third of Russell Group universities – some of the most prestigious UK institutions – were found to be operating a food bank, compared with 26% of other universities. At their National Conference 2023, the NUS reiterated that there is a housing crisis for students across the UK who struggle to find affordable or suitable accommodation. While prices of rent and food have risen rapidly, student loans have remained the same. This means that more students are working long hours alongside their degrees, with international students, care leavers, and those estranged from family proving particularly vulnerable. Additionally, university study may be more challenging for students schooled during COVID-19, a greater number of whom are now reporting mental health difficulties. The impact of these conditions on students’ health and academic performance has not yet been examined. Since this demographic will make up a significant proportion of our country’s future workforce, their wellbeing, experiences, and abilities have far-reaching implications.