Authorities have warned of a substantial shortage of student accommodation across South Africa, with university and TVET sectors unable to meet demand and some existing housing described as substandard, the Department of Higher Education and Training told a parliamentary colloquium this week.
Scale of the shortage and how beds are counted
The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training convened a colloquium to examine student accommodation, including the National Student Financial Aid Scheme’s (NSFAS) accommodation cap, accreditation and the drivers of rising costs.
Formal national surveys point to very large gaps between supply and need. The 2019 student housing provision survey estimated demand in the university sector at 362,381 beds, while a 2018 survey put the need in the TVET college sector at 182,748 beds.
The department told the committee that exact figures on the number of accommodation facilities are not collected provincially; instead the focus is on bed numbers. It also explained that student accommodation takes several forms: institution‑owned, institution‑leased and privately owned but accredited housing located on or close to campuses.
Partnerships with private providers
Government partnerships with private student‑housing providers have substantially increased capacity. For the 2026 academic year, the department reported a total bed capacity across the 26 public universities of 525,497 beds, made up of institution-owned, institution-leased and privately accredited beds.
Breaking down that figure, the department gave the following totals:
| Category | Reported beds |
|---|---|
| University‑owned | 135,353 |
| University‑leased | 68,102 |
| University‑accredited private housing | 331,945 |
The department also said 9,907 university‑owned beds were currently unoccupied because of outstanding renovations, reducing university‑owned operational beds to 125,446 in 2026.
New beds and ongoing demand
Officials reported that 3,100 additional student beds are expected to come online for the 2027 academic year across four institutions, including Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University and others. The figures indicate progress, but leave a substantial shortfall when compared with the combined estimated demand recorded in earlier sector surveys.
NSFAS, costs and accreditation under the microscope
The colloquium examined the role of NSFAS in funding student accommodation — particularly its accommodation cap — alongside questions about accreditation standards for private providers and the factors driving cost increases across the sector. Committee members discussed whether current NSFAS rates and accreditation processes adequately protect students from substandard housing or unexpected fee increases.
- Demand remains far higher than current supply even after private partnerships expansion.
- Many beds exist in private accredited housing, highlighting the growing role of non‑institution providers.
- Renovation backlogs reduce usable university‑owned capacity.
Committee deliberations come as universities and TVET colleges face pressure to ensure safe, affordable accommodation that supports student success. The department emphasised accreditation and funding as central levers to improve standards and affordability.
For students and families, the debates at Parliament will be followed closely: housing availability and cost affect choices about where to study, transport needs and the day‑to‑day welfare of learners, including those from KwaZulu‑Natal who often travel long distances for higher education and vocational training.
As the sector moves towards the 2027 academic year, attention will fall on how quickly renovation projects are completed, whether NSFAS funding keeps pace with market costs, and how accreditation can be used to ensure private providers meet minimum welfare and safety standards.
Further details from the colloquium, including specific proposals and timelines, will be monitored by universities, student bodies and provincial education departments as they prepare for registration and residence allocations ahead of next year’s intake.
