ID139 Affordable campus housing for recent Keele graduates

The Idea

In recent years, an increasing number of staff houses on campus appear to be standing empty. As a former Keele resident, I’m keen to see this environment revitalised. 

I appreciate that several factors may have contributed to the decline in staff occupancy such as rental contract terms and the workload of staff who manage the system. Therefore, I would like to propose that the University consider widening the eligibility criteria for campus housing and to also review the length of the rental contract. 

Specifically, I suggest allowing recent Keele graduates to rent University properties, provided that rents are set at an affordable level for individuals beginning their first graduate roles. This could help address under occupancy, support graduates as they transition into employment, help to retain graduates in the local area and strengthen the campus community. 

However, it will also be important to ensure operational and commercial considerations are taken into account including refurbishment requirements, pricing strategy and target cohort.

Why This Idea Should Be Considered

First, utilising currently vacant staff houses would make more efficient use of the University’s existing estate. Empty properties not only represent a financial cost in terms of maintenance and lost rent, but they can also affect the sense of community. This proposal also supports the University’s “Local Growth” and “Graduate Outcomes” agendas, helping to keep graduate talent in the local area. 

Second, providing affordable housing options for recent graduates could offer substantial benefits and make a difference in financial stability and wellbeing. Supporting graduates in this way would strengthen Keele’s reputation as an institution that remains committed to its students beyond graduation. This would specifically support those graduates seeking employment in the local area such as those working for Royal Stoke University Hospital, Keele Science Park and the growing creative sector in Stoke-on-Trent.  

Third, enabling graduates to live on campus has the potential to reinvigorate the campus community.

How We Would Implement This Idea

• Review the current rental contracts. 
• Seek advice from the legal team regarding use of staff housing. 
• Seek guidance from estates team and review current staffing involved in managing staff housing. 
• Review potential costs and potential income from this change. For example, would the potential increase in income from offering accommodation to recent graduates support the appointment of a member of staff or potentially a placement student to support the scheme? 
• Conduct a Pilot Feasibility Study on a small cluster of houses to compare the "Net Yield" (Rent minus Maintenance/Management) against the current cost of vacancy 
• Seek feedback from relevant committees, alumni, careers and marketing teams to review potential positive or negative impact of such a scheme. 
• Include a "maximum residency term" (e.g., 12–24 months) to ensure the housing remains a transition tool rather than a long-term solution, allowing for a continuous "flow" of new graduates. 

What Success Would Look Like

• Increased occupancy of houses 
• Increased finances and potential to employ a member of staff or placement student 
• Improved graduate support through affordable housing. Specifically, success in terms of an affordable rate could be measured by providing rental rates at 15 –20% below the Newcastle-under-Lyme private rental market average for equivalent properties.  
• Improved recognition of the support Keele offers to graduates. The affordable rate could be seen as in keeping with the university policy of offering a fees discount to alumni. 
• Improved campus community 
• Improved retention of graduates in local area