THE founder of a Scottish charity has called for greater support for students at risk of homelessness after a report revealed a shortage of more than 25,000 student bed spaces in Scotland.
Josh Littlejohn MBE, founder of Social Bite – which has four shops in Scotland – made the comment as the charity moves into the UK higher education sector for the first time as part of a partnership with coffee supplier Matthew Algie.
Co-authored by bodies including the University of Glasgow, University of Stirling, the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Scotland, the cross-party Student Housing Options and Experiences of Homelessness in Scotland report found there is a “severe” student housing crisis in cities including Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Dundee.
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Littlejohn said students from low-income backgrounds, international students and students who are estranged from their families, where financial support from family or caregivers is not always possible, are most at risk.
According to the National Union of Students (NUS), in 2023 one in 10 students reported having experienced homelessness in the past.
Additionally, more than a fifth of all international students in Scotland have experienced homelessness.
'I had a roof over my head, but I didn't have a home'
Masters student Comfort Mensah moved to Scotland from Ghana in September last year to study.
Despite arranging to live with a family initially, she was classed as homeless as the arrangement was temporary.
The 34-year-old relied on help from a family she was set up with through her church in Glasgow’s east end, as well as small amounts of money from her mother, a retired teacher, who couldn’t afford to support her long term.
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Comfort had just £500 with her when she arrived, and applied for hundreds of jobs in a desperate search for work and permanent accommodation all while juggling her demanding studies.
With the threat of rough sleeping looming, Comfort’s situation caused her mental health to suffer severely, as well as impacting her grades as she spent every spare minute applying for jobs and also volunteering to gain experience.
She said: “It was really hard. I had so little money and was getting nowhere trying to find work. I put on a positive face but behind it I was crashing down. I know I had a roof over my head, but I didn’t have a home.
“The uncertainty around it was so hard to deal with, and I was in a mental health crisis. We were in the colder months and rough sleeping was a high possibility.”
Comfort finally found work after seeking help through Social Bite’s Jobs First programme.
Littlejohn said the situation faced by Comfort and thousands of other students across Scotland shows how urgently the accommodation crisis needs to be brought under control, arguing student housing must be integrated into local housing strategies.
He said: “Rent controls should include purpose-built student accommodation, more financial support for students who are at higher risk of homelessness, such as an estranged student grant that can be paid year round and not just within term time.
'Bringing awareness of homelessness to a new generation'
Social Bite’s milestone move into education will see new cafes open in universities and colleges across the UK, with around 10% of profits from coffee sold donated to the charity and social enterprise’s ongoing work to end homelessness.
The new Social Bite branded cafes will serve Matthew Algie’s Elevator blend, specially selected for the partnership, with every cup sold supporting people experiencing homelessness. Social Bite’s Pay It Forward system will also be in place.
Social Bite has already opened its first cafes in universities and Matthew Algie is in talks with several more.
Littlejohn added: “Through our amazing partnership with Matthew Algie, we now have an opportunity to put Social Bite in front of thousands of young people across the country.
“With Matthew Algie’s support we’re not only able to supply their fantastic coffee, but to bring awareness of the homelessness issue to a new generation.
Raj Juneja, head of education at Matthew Algie, said: “We are proud to play a part in supporting the amazing work Social Bite does to support everybody affected by homelessness.”
People can pay it forward at every Social Bite’s locations to help someone experiencing homelessness. You can also Pay It Forward online at www.social-bite.co.uk/payitforward
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