Housing group projects shortfall of 3.2 million student beds by 2030; €450 Bn of investment needs

"Europe faces a significant and measurable student housing gap: a projected shortfall of 3.2 million student beds by 2030, implying investment needs in the order of €450 Bn", the Class Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to boosting student housing across Europe established in 2011, said on 16/10/2025.

Like the EUA and Cesaer higher education associations, the think tank responded to the European Commission's public consultation, which closed on 17/10/2025, to gather the views of the public and experts to develop the European Affordable Housing Plan in the first quarter of 2026.

Class Foundation is asking for student housing to be formally recognised as a strategic priority within this forthcoming plan, as "Europe’s student housing deficit is a direct challenge to its economic resilience, innovation capacity and social fairness. Bridging this gap will require an EU-led framework that unites public and private actors".

For Cesaer and the EUA, the scope should be extended to researchers and professional and academic staff. They are a "core pillar of the European Affordable…