Student housing set its first big test

According to Sylwia Jankowska, an investment broker in the capital markets department at Knight Frank, one of the main factors driving the demand for private student halls is the shortage of beds in public facilities. Currently, only around 9 pct of students have access to such accommodation. “There are as many as 12 students for every available bed. The demand is also being fuelled by the growing number of students overall, including international ones.” Susana Graziano, the business development manager of ASK4, adds that the increased demand also stems from socio-cultural changes, such as evolving lifestyle preferences. “The strength of the Polish PBSA market is reflected in its very high occupancy levels – between 98 pct and 100 pct – as well as strong rental growth,” she points out. As the PBSA (purpose-built student accommodation) segment develops, investors are also showing greater interest in related residential projects, such as PRS or flex l