HÜDA PAR, a political party in Türkiye, has urged the government to take immediate steps to address the ongoing accommodation crisis facing university students.

In a statement released on Thursday, Yahya Oğraş, the party's Deputy Chairman for Educational Affairs, highlighted the rising rent and transportation costs that are making it difficult for students to secure suitable housing.

Oğraş noted that while the number of students enrolled in formal education in Türkiye has reached around 4 million, only about 1.5 million have access to public or private dormitories. The remaining students are forced to either commute from their registered addresses or rent houses, which has become increasingly expensive.

To address the accommodation problem, HÜDA PAR has proposed several solutions, including:

Increasing the number of public dormitories: The government should significantly expand the availability of public dormitories to meet the growing demand from students.

Providing financial support: Students who are unable to secure a spot in public dormitories should receive financial assistance to help cover the cost of renting houses.

Supporting married students: Married students should be provided with both accommodation and sustenance support.

Offering transportation assistance: Local governments should identify students in need and provide transportation support to those who are studying in other provinces.

Increasing scholarship opportunities: Scholarships should be made more accessible to students facing financial difficulties.

HÜDA PAR emphasized that failing to address the accommodation crisis could lead to serious problems for students, including difficulties in accessing resources, meeting basic needs, and maintaining their mental and physical well-being. (ILKHA)