European Coalition for Student Housing
Uniting universities’ and students’ interests in EU housing policy.
Student housing has become a structural barrier to higher education access and mobility across Europe. The European Commission’s Affordable Housing Plan, presented in December 2025, explicitly identifies student housing as a policy priority and commits to mobilising investment and launching new support mechanisms for students and young people. The European Parliament adopted its recommendations in March 2026, and a first EU Housing Summit is planned for 2026.
This creates a window of opportunity for universities, colleges, or residential halls that provide student housing as part of their educational mission to contribute directly to the shaping of EU policy.
Purpose
The European Coalition for Student Housing is an informal network of universities, university colleges, halls of residence, and other actors that aims to:
Act as an institutional liaison for universities and students related to EU housing policy dialogues, ensuring a decisive voice in the implementation and related strategic initiatives;
Share information and exchange practices on student housing provision, management, and its integration with student affairs and services;
Contribute evidence and institutional expertise to EU-level discussions on student housing data collection, quality standards, and investment needs;
Engage with EU officials, Members of the European Parliament, and other stakeholders working on housing and higher education policy.
Working Methods
STRUCTURE
The coalition operates as a lightweight, informal network with no separate legal structure. It is coordinated by the European University College Association (EucA), based in Brussels. EucA provides the secretariat function, including meeting organisation, communication with members, and liaison with EU institutions.
A Co-Chair from a member institution will be identified on a voluntary basis to share the coordination role and ensure the coalition reflects the diversity of its members. The Co-Chair arrangement will be reviewed annually.
The coordinating team will circulate meeting notes, relevant policy documents, and updates on EU processes to all members after each meeting.
MEMBERSHIP
Members are encouraged to propose topics, identify relevant speakers from EU institutions and partner organisations, and share developments from their national contexts.
The coalition will meet approximately 3 to 4 times per year, combining online meetings with at least one in-person meeting, with flexibility to convene additional meetings around EU policy milestones.
MEETINGS & ACTIVITIES
Joint activities with other networks and working groups may be organised when appropriate.
REVIEW
The coalition’s scope, format, and priorities will be reviewed after 12 months. At that point, members will assess whether the informal network format remains appropriate or whether a more structured arrangement is needed.
Membership
The coalition is open to:
Universities, university colleges, and halls of residence that directly provide or manage student housing;
National and European associations of higher education institutions with a focus on student affairs and services, residential life, or student housing;
Student organisations or student-led civil society actors with an interest in housing policy at the European level;
Members participate on a voluntary basis and commit to active engagement in meetings and coalition activities.
Institutions or organisations interested in joining the coalition are invited to contact EucA at the address indicated below. Participation is free of charge, but members pay for all related travel costs.