No Place Like Home? Understanding the Accommodation Experience of Care-Experienced and Estranged Students

Why It Matters

Housing stability directly influences academic persistence for the most vulnerable students, making targeted accommodation reforms a critical lever for equity and university retention rates.

Key Takeaways

• Care‑experienced students lack accommodation choice, face limited options
• Both groups report lower move‑in satisfaction and welcome experiences
• Mental‑health scores far below domestic peers, driving dropout risk
• Financial insecurity affects 59% of estranged students, highest among groups
• Housing stability doubles likelihood of staying another academic year

Pulse Analysis

The transition to university housing is a rite of passage for most students, but for those who have grown up in public care or are estranged from family, a roof over their head represents far more than independence. A joint report by Global Student Living and the Unite Foundation analysed responses from 44,894 students across the UK and Ireland, including 663 care‑experienced and 1,003 estranged domestic learners. The study uncovers how overlapping vulnerabilities—such as LGBTQIA+ identity, disability, and ethnic minority status—compound the challenges of securing safe, stable accommodation.

The data reveal stark inequities at every stage of the housing journey. Care‑experienced and estranged students are far more likely to report having no real choice of residence, often arriving late because of unstable circumstances and needing specific features such as accessibility or mental‑health‑friendly environments. Satisfaction with the move‑in process drops sharply, with weaker welcome events and limited information increasing feelings of isolation. Mental‑health scores measured by the MHI‑5 are substantially lower than the domestic average, and 59 % of estranged learners cite financial insecurity as their top struggle, driving a one‑in‑three dropout consideration rate.

These findings signal a clear business case for universities and private‑sector PBSA providers to redesign their onboarding and support models. Trauma‑informed arrival pathways, flexible check‑in windows, and personalized housing plans can close the early‑stage gaps that most affect wellbeing. Financial levers such as hardship grants, staggered payment schedules, and guaranteed tenancy extensions reduce the pressure that pushes vulnerable students toward withdrawal. Embedding mental‑health outreach within residence life not only improves retention but also enhances the overall inclusivity of the campus housing ecosystem, delivering long‑term reputational and financial benefits.