Shortage of Galway accommodation sees students veer towards other college cities

Galway is at risk of losing out on its annual intake of third-level students – because the shortage of accommodation is leaving them with nowhere to live.

That’s according to one of the west’s largest letting agencies, which has revealed that young professionals and returning students are snapping up what scarce rental properties they are – properties that would traditionally be the preserve of first years.

That, coupled with a general shortage of houses, and the crisis in the city’s social housing waiting lists, means that prospective new arrivals are being ‘squeezed’, according to Enda McGuane, Managing Director of Winters Property Management.

Mr McGuane pointed out that there hasn’t been any building in Galway in the past ten years, which is adding to the supply shortage.

Winters is planning to revive the rent-a-room-scheme near NUI Galway to help alleviate the problem and is hosting an information evening next Tuesday where homeowners with spare rooms in Newcastle and Salthill are encouraged to attend.

“It’s a huge problem, not just in Galway but in colleges all over the country. What you’re finding is that first year students are choosing not to come to Galway and other colleges because they cannot get accommodation and instead they are deciding to go to a college that is closer to home, so they can live at home,” Mr McGuane said.

He pointed out that some 28,000 third level students are education in Galway every year but the shortage of rental properties this year is as bad as he’s seen in 15 years.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.