The leadership of the University of Lapland and Lapland University of Applied Sciences, along with the student unions LYY and ROTKO, organized two separate events this week to discuss concrete solutions to Rovaniemi’s student housing situation.

On Monday, September 30, members of Parliament from Lapland visited the University of Lapland for an event where the housing situation in Rovaniemi was reviewed, as well as the state’s recent plans concerning short-term rentals and support for the construction of student housing. Members of Parliament attending the event included Heikki Autto (National Coalition Party), Markus Lohi (Centre Party), and Johanna Ojala-Niemelä (Social Democrats).

This past Wednesday, October 2, a joint meeting was also held between the City of Rovaniemi, the Domus Arctica Foundation (DAS), the University of Lapland, Lapland University of Applied Sciences, and student organizations, where various solutions were discussed to ease the student housing situation. The meeting concluded with a decision to continue planning joint solutions and to strengthen collaboration in order to more effectively enhance the student experience in Rovaniemi.

According to Roope Rantala, Chair of the Board of the Student Union of the University of Lapland, both events were successful, and the cooperation felt smooth. “It’s great that Lapland’s MPs share the concerns of students and that the city, DAS, and both universities are willing to continue working together to find concrete solutions to improve the student experience and ease housing issues,” Rantala said.

Antti Syväjärvi, Rector of the University of Lapland, expressed his gratitude for the events held at the university and for the shared commitment to improving students’ housing and study experiences. “We must collectively address various factors that will sustain future vitality. For example, one challenge in Rovaniemi is affordable housing for university students. Too many are already unable to secure housing. We need clear regulations and, on the other hand, projects that support student housing,” Syväjärvi noted.

The Student Union of the University of Lapland and the student union ROTKO have this year paid special attention to the worsening student housing situation in Rovaniemi and the improvement of the student experience. Cuts to ARA (The Housing Finance and Development Centre of Finland) funding have weakened DAS’s ability to start new construction projects. Additionally, the growth of tourism in Lapland further complicates the availability of affordable housing in Rovaniemi.

“Housing is a significant factor in the attractiveness and retention power of a university city, as well as a key factor affecting student well-being. Together, we influence the need for highly educated professionals in Rovaniemi and seek solutions to develop an even more impactful, student-friendly city and university community,” said Riitta Rissanen, Rector of Lapland University of Applied Sciences.

The Student Union of the University of Lapland and the student union ROTKO will continue to work closely with stakeholders to improve the student experience in Rovaniemi. During the joint meeting, it was unanimously agreed that cooperation will be further strengthened in order to achieve concrete solutions.

“We need as diverse a range of housing options as we have students. Housing must be affordable so that students can continue to live here in the future. I’m pleased that cooperation is being intensified, and there is a shared commitment to achieving concrete solutions,” said Laura Horsma, Chair of the Board of the Student Union of Lapland University of Applied Sciences.

For more information:

Laura Horsma
Chair of the Board, ROTKO
puheenjohtaja(at)lapinrotko.fi
+358 40 152 8500

Antti Syväjärvi
Rector, University of Lapland
antti.syvajarvi(at)ulapland.fi
+358 400 606 244

Riitta Rissanen
Rector, Lapland University of Applied Sciences
riitta.rissanen(at)lapinamk.fi
+358 40 029 3545