HOUSING CRISIS & THE PROJECT
It cannot be denied that there is an ongoing housing crisis in Maastricht when it comes to students finding an affordable place to live. This year the crisis even intensified. As the pandemic was ‘getting better’ in summer, consequently many more students than last year had the chance to move to Maastricht, rather than conducting online University classes. However, when deciding to move to Maastricht, a lot of students are not aware of the circumstances. This has led to a vast amount of unfortunate outcomes, with students living on the outside border of the city, students paying way too much for what a student apartment should cost, students being homeless or even quitting University as a consequence.
This section of the AIMS blog will be completely dedicated to this problem and the approach to tackling this crisis, through collecting testimonies, giving people a voice, and letting in the best outcome everyone shares their story. This project will in the following weeks and months aim at collecting enough evidence and support to issue a document to the University as well as to the City of Maastricht, to file for complaint and demand for justice and change!
FIRST TESTIMONY
To begin with, a first testimony is entailed in the following, illustrating one example of the effects of the crisis.
“Immediately after receiving my admission to the International Business Bachelor’s Program at Maastricht University, I started looking for a place to move to. That was around the end of April. I had so many viewings, it feels like I went to a hundred places, including mostly hovels and rundown apartments. In addition, all my viewings had to take place online (including Housing Agencies like Maasland Relocation, Maastricht Housing, etc.). By the end of June, I finally found a payable room that look authentic and fine online. Bullshit! I had to sign the contract within 24 hours or else the offer would lapse, also I had to pay the deposit and first rent within this deadline. Because of joy and gratitude and due to trust in the seriousness of the agency I accepted the offer and signed the contract. At that time, I was on vacation. When I returned, I had an in-person viewing, which was more than shocking! Not only was the room in a noticeably neglected condition, but there was also mold everywhere. After a talk with a housemate, he told me: no one takes care of anything, neither the students nor the agency. Fortunately, the premature termination of the contract was possible with a big effort. After another nerve-wracking long search, the possibility appeared to move into a room in the UM Guest House from November the 1st onwards.
By the time, University started. I had no other choice than to sleep in hostels, in a room with nineteen other people, also during covid-high phases. However, there was only irregular availability, usually two to three days in a row. Then the other days I stayed with a friend, occupied their couch or brought an air mattress. That means every second or third day I was traveling with my backpack and my suitcase through Maastricht. On the weekends it was even more complicated. This is why I went home to Germany a lot of times. The constant commuting entailed a lot of costs for me, even though I don’t even live far from the border. Eventually, I handed in my de-registration from University in October, even though a lot of other factors played a more important role in that decision. Overall, it was a lot harder to settle in Maastricht, to feel at home and to be able to fully concentrate on the studies. However, the time I had there was great, and I learned a lot from it.“
– International Business (Bachelor, 1st year Student) Maastricht University 2021/22 (anonymous)
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