Amber beat Student Accommodation Market News - May 2023, Week 05

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Missed keeping track of all the latest happenings in the student accommodation market?

Amber Beat is a weekly snapshot of the key developments in top student accommodation markets.  This newsletter provides you with all the information you need to know, from new upcoming projects to current trends, news affecting students to government policies, we’ve got you covered!

Amber Beat | News from May 26 - June 1, 2023

United Kingdom

• iQ collaborates with Topland Vintage and McLaren Property by funding 1,209-bed student accommodation and Co-Living campus near University of Warwick, completion targeted for AY 25-26 (iQSA)
• Scottish MP raises concerns over impact of UK immigration rules on international students and families, citing £40 Bn economic contribution (Erudera)
• International students in Scotland take matters into their own hands by building community, maintaining own space and achieving affordable living amid expensive accommodation crisis (BBC News)
• King's College students withhold £143,000 in rent and protest against 7.5% hike for 2023-24; authorities issue warning, restricting entry to student residence in next term for those with outstanding debt (Varsity)
• Torsion Students rebrands as LUNA Students to align with student-centric vision and accommodate rapid growth (PBSA news)
• Latest report reveals £1.4bn gain in Welsh economy due to international student inflow (Business Live)
• Financial strain for students in Brussels as rent disparity hits: English-speaking and international students pay nearly €100 more for student rooms, average rent stands at €531 (Brussels Times)
• Concerns arise among Ardwick and Brunswick residents over disproportionality of student numbers and project area in 1840-Bed student block, a project by consortium of developers (Manchester Evening News)
• Students at University of Bath plead with local council leaders for rental control as University's use of private halls of residence leads to skyrocketing rents, reaching up to £330 per week (BBC)
• New College Lanarkshire forced to close Motherwell Student Accommodation due to financial challenges, leaving students in need of alternative housing (Daily Record)

New Constructions (United Kingdom)

• Islington council approves grand Pallazo-inspired student accommodation, comprising 284 studios and clustered flats near Emirates Stadium, for Arsenal FC's Ashburn Trading at 45 Hornsey Road, with 35% of the flats designated as affordable (Architects’ Journal)
• University of Dundee officials kickstart £19.9 Mn student accommodation project to meet growing demand: Project includes 152 Beds, central location and high-quality amenities (Leverage Edu)
• HG Construction, Alumno, and Greenaway Architecture unveil innovative 60-bed PBSA project in central Brighton, welcomed by council (PBSA News)
• McLaren proposes student accommodation redevelopment at former Ritz Roller Rink on Myrtle Street, adjacent to University of Liverpool Campus, project includes mix of studios and cluster bedrooms (The Construction Index)

United States of America

• Real estate investment firm, Muinzer acquired 1134-bed student housing near Purdue University. Raised acquisition goals to $1B in 2023-24 near, high-growth universities (PRN)
• California State University (CSU) succumbed to a $1.5B funding gap and proposed a tuition hike to meet goals (CalMatters)
• University of Connecticut picks up the pace of developing an on-campus accommodation with 657 beds and is expected to accommodate students by fall 2024 (UConn)
• Near several Arizona Universities, Pinal County housing expands its accommodations by 3.5% at a record-breaking speed (CN)
• University of Grand Canyon might come into the heat of local protests as it plans to replace mobile homes on Periwinkle Park for expanding student accommodations (wfmz)

Europe

• Norwegian government allocates €57.2 million for 1,650 new student dorms, addressing housing needs for over 318,000 higher education students (Erudera)
• Utrecht student protest amplifies urgency as current student room shortage reaches 5300 (Rtvtrecht)
• Elkstone and Harrison Street to deliver over 1,500 beds, easing Ireland's student housing crisis, starting at Stoneybatter Place in Dublin 7 and expanding to Cork, Limerick, and Galway (PBSA News)
• Student Depot expands its portfolio in Warsaw and Lodz with two new investments, adding nearly 1,000 fully equipped beds to meet the rising demand for student housing (Eurobuild)
• Luxurious Basecamp in Gottingen opens doors to students with 600 fully furnished apartments starting from €560 per month (HNA)
• Former Genesis Nightclub in Dublin Road to be replaced by student housing, creating 91 new residential units to meet Athlone's increasing student accommodation demand (Westmeath)
• Campus X Unveils new student residences in Modena, providing 366 beds and state-of-the-art facilities for sustainable living spaces (Dietrolanotizia.eu)
• Avans University and BrabantWonen begin construction of a new school and 125 student residences in Den Bosch, addressing the growing student population (dtvnieuws)

Australia

• Dutch giant APG and Bouwinvest partner with Scape Australia to Launch a $1.5 Billion Build-to-Rent platform, expanding to 10,000 apartments by 2030 (GlobalSWF)
• CDL, a global property giant, makes a grand entry into the Australian Build-to-Rent market, unveiling plans for 500 apartments in Melbourne and Brisbane (Businessnewsaustralia)
• The University of Queensland addresses rental shortage with the second student residences complex, adding 610 rooms to onsite accommodation (UQ)
• BTR specialist Novus, expands Melbourne pipeline with $1bn acquisition, adding 214 apartments to Build-to-Rent portfolio (theurbandeveloper)

Canada

• Quebec: Vivre en Ville, Arpent, and UTILE sit together to tackle the student housing crisis (MG)
• International students tirelessly protest against the fake offer letter deportations case in front of the CBSA office, Mississauga (INC)
• TOEFL has been accepted as an English-language test in Canada, thereby expanding opportunities for international students (IndiaToday)
• Rent inflation has caused young students to struggle to locate affordable accommodation options. In a survey of 3800 graduate students, more than half opted option of accompanying elderly residents in Canada (BBC)

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