Brighton launches new housing strategy to tackle 'studentification' problems

A drive to improve neighbourhoods in Brighton & Hove with high numbers of students has been unveiled to curb problems blamed on ‘studentification’ such as noise and litter.

In a move led by Brighton & Hove City Council, a strategy has been designed with key partners including the universities, landlords and estate agents that targets problems identified by local residents.

For the first time a student housing strategy, which features a two-pronged approach to both manage and deliver student housing in the city, is included in the city-wide housing strategy. 

Measures proposed include reducing the overconcentration of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) - where many students live - and licensing HMO landlords to improve conditions for tenants.

At the centre of the strategy are plans to limit negative affects on local residents such as noise nuisance from student houses because of parties as well as reducing fly-tipping and fly-posting. The plan will also encourage empty and vacant homes to be converted back to family housing and reducing the numbers of unsightly ‘to let’ boards.

New purpose-built student housing will be built at suitable locations within the city that encourages sustainability such as the use of public transport, while a community liaison officer will be appointed to foster good relations between the university and established communities.

Brighton & Hove City Council Leader Councillor Mary Mears, who chairs Brighton & Hove’s Strategic Housing Partnership, said: “This is a landmark strategy that sees everybody involved in the city’s important and growing student population working together to foster balanced communities.

"The universities contribute a great deal to the city and are helping us develop practical solutions for student housing.

“We want to improve the lives of both students and residents by restricting the numbers of houses that contain the highest numbers of students, ensuring student landlords improve homes and importantly limiting problems such as noise nuisance and litter.”

Julie Barker, Head of the University of Brighton’s residential and catering services, said: “The university contributes £330 million to the regional economy but it is not just about finances.

“Students and staff bring enormous vitality and variety to the cultural life blood of the community and it is important their housing needs are recognised. It is important also that we work towards a mixed community and avoid areas becoming solely for students or for single age groups.

“We are delighted the council has taken this step and look forward to working with it on this issue further.”

The numbers of student’s at the University of Brighton and University of Sussex alone have risen to more than 33,000 with many living in the city’s 15,000 HMOs. Students are concentrated in five distinct areas – Bevendean, Coombe Road, Hartington Road and Triangle, Hanover and Hollingdean.

The plan is incorporated in Brighton & Hove City Council’s housing strategy for 2009-2014 called Healthy homes, healthy lives, healthy city which will be considered by Cabinet on 12 November.