Students from immigrant households are more likely to live in an overcrowded home, according to research.
Statistics from gov.uk found the highest rates of overcrowding were among Arabs at 25%, followed by Bangladeshi at 18% and black Africans at 16. Comparatively, only 2% of white British households were overcrowded, even when catering across socio-economic groups, age groups and income bands.
Living in an overcrowded household can be stressful and often mentally taxing, and for students, that stress is heightened. According to a survey conducted in 2023 by the National Housing Federation, 77% of people from overcrowded homes reported that their mental health was affected.
Mohamed Hassan, a 21-year-old law student at St Mary’s University, details his experience: “Not having my own space had a big impact mentally. I often felt overwhelmed and disconnected.”
The impact of overcrowded housing on students like Hassan goes beyond just mental health. The constant noise, lack of privacy, and limited space make it extremely difficult to focus on studies or find quiet time to complete assignments.
Shantai McCann, a third-year nursing student at Greenwich University, said: “I never could because there was always yelling and arguing in the house.”
Research from University College London supports this; students living in overcrowded conditions often report difficulty concentrating and poorer academic outcomes. The absence of a dedicated study area means many students have to work in shared spaces or at odd hours, which affects the quality of their learning.
Students in these living conditions also have to deal with sleep deprivation. The National Housing Federation conducted a survey and found that 52 percent of people sleep in inadequate accommodation.
McCann said: “The worst aspect of my living conditions is sharing a room with my younger brother.”
These students’ conditions often do not get better as their parents don’t understand the housing system leaving that task for their children to deal with on top of their schooling.
Hassan was a Syrian refugee and often had to deal with tasks his parents could not do. “As the person responsible for the family, I’m constantly arranging appointments, dealing with schools, doctors, and paperwork,” Hassan said.
The process of finding housing is a long and gruelling process that often takes years and forces families into temporary accommodations with terrible conditions.
“We had to start from scratch with no home of our own, no sense of security, and no long-term stability. We were placed in temporary or rented housing, often into places that were not in good condition,” Hassan said.
His experience is echoed by McCann: “When things got domestically bad, I signed up on the housing list and still, after explaining my conditions, I’m still waiting on a placement. It’s been two years.”