{"id":26189,"date":"2025-04-10T11:08:11","date_gmt":"2025-04-10T08:08:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lyy.fi\/statement-homes-for-students-alongside-sustainable-tourism\/"},"modified":"2026-02-20T11:33:37","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T09:33:37","slug":"statement-homes-for-students-alongside-sustainable-tourism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lyy.fi\/en\/statement-homes-for-students-alongside-sustainable-tourism\/","title":{"rendered":"Statement: Homes for Students \u2013 Alongside Sustainable Tourism\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Rovaniemi is Finland\u2019s northernmost university city \u2013 and one of the few \u2013 but this isn\u2019t always reflected in the city\u2019s decision-making. The student housing situation in Rovaniemi has reached a crisis point, and the Student Union of the University of Lapland (LYY) and the Student Union of Lapland University of Applied Sciences (ROTKO) are deeply concerned that more and more students cannot afford or even find a place to live in Rovaniemi \u2013 all while the number of tourists grows and short-term rentals become increasingly common. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tourism is a key driver of Rovaniemi\u2019s vitality<\/strong>, bringing jobs, entrepreneurship, and visibility to the region. However, its rapid growth poses challenges to urban planning and housing policy \u2013 especially from the perspective of students.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to city estimates, there are between 1,000 and 1,500 homes in Rovaniemi used for short-term rental \u2013 the highest per capita in Finland. At the same time, students\u2019 chances of finding affordable rental housing have significantly decreased. Rents have risen, and competition for the few available apartments has intensified. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many students experience the effects firsthand<\/strong>. Permanent leases may be terminated as peak season approaches, or some apartments are not rented to students at all on a long-term basis. In autumn 2024, the temporary housing offered jointly by LYY and DAS quickly filled up. The situation has already led to some exchange students cancelling their stay due to the lack of accommodation.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, students’ financial situations are worsening<\/strong>. The freezing of study grant indexation, the planned shift back to the housing supplement model under the study grant system, and cuts to housing benefits for special groups are making housing increasingly difficult. DAS housing is insufficient, and building new student apartments is challenging due to funding cuts.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Building Act Reform Must Not Worsen the Situation<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The reform of the Finnish Building Act presents an opportunity to address the challenges of short-term rental \u2013 but the current draft risks weakening municipalities\u2019 ability to responsibly manage this development. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the proposal: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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