Monday 24-10-2022 - 16:13

 

Wherever you choose to live, your accommodation is a very important part of your life as a student. Therefore, we are extremely concerned about the stress and uncertainty the housing shortage in Durham is causing many of you. Student numbers in the city have grown significantly in recent years, which evidently cannot be sustained by the amount of available housing. The Advice Service and Officers are hearing from vast amounts of students who are in very difficult and stressful housing situations. Most of these relate to the quantity, quality, and cost of housing. This is why we are making this a key priority of our work. 

 

Below is a list of housing support already available to all students. We will continue our fight to tackle the wider housing issues in Durham, and we'll be releasing more information on our plan for the year ahead very soon.

 

Support and resources if you are struggling to find housing
 

Accommodation Office 

If you are still in need of housing, please contact the University using the following email address: 

accommodation.office@durham.ac.uk 

 

Housing toolkit 

This housing toolkit can help you to navigate private housing in Durham. From where to live to your housing rights.  

Housing toolkit @ Durham SU 

 

Durham SU Advice Service  

The Durham SU Advice Service offer free, impartial and confidential advice to Durham students on a range of issues, including housing. You can contact them here: 

https://www.durhamsu.com/advice-and-support 

Just click the 'Get in touch' button to access our online enquiry form. 

Please note that this is not a crisis service. If you are in an emergency situation, please dial 999, as usual, to speak to the emergency services. 

 

Shelter 

Shelter is a charity offering free and impartial advice on your rights as you navigate the private rented housing sector. They have a range of useful guides and resources on their website: 

https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice  

Shelter also has an emergency housing line. Please contact them if you’re at risk of homelessness: 

https://england.shelter.org.uk/get_help/helpline 

 

Durham County Council – Housing Solutions 

Durham County Council has a department that can offer free advice to people at risk of becoming homeless. This covers a range of practical help from knowing what your options are to finding emergency accommodation for you. You can contact them using the details on this page: 

https://www.durham.gov.uk/housingsolutions  

 

Durham University Counselling Service 

If you are finding your mental health affected by the current housing situation in Durham, please self-refer to the Durham University Counselling Service. Durham students are eligible for up to six free sessions of mental health support per academic year. You can contact the service using the details on this page: 

https://www.dur.ac.uk/counselling.service/ 

This page was actually published on October 17, the system's date is incorrect.