Outpriced: Soaring rent leaves Namibian students struggling to stay in school
While there's been a noticeable increase in the number of student housing developments, affordability remains a serious concern.
“Most of my money goes straight to rent,” says Byaombe Kiana (24), a student studying Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Triumphant College. “There are times I don’t even have enough for food, transport, or basic academic needs like printing.”As the second semester begins, thousands of students across Namibia are grappling with the growing financial burden of high rental costs, limited housing options, and tight registration deadlines. In areas surrounding UNAM and NUST campuses - such as Windhoek West, Pionierspark, and Academia - many students and property agents report that rental prices have steadily increased in recent years, making affordable housing harder to find.
According to Dennis Nafuka, a real estate agent at Yalmeida Properties, many landlords are hesitant to rent to students. “The average rental in Windhoek starts at N$7 000 - and that’s without water or electricity included,” he says.
While there’s been a noticeable increase in the number of student housing developments, affordability remains a serious concern. Noddy Homukoto, SRC representative for Accommodation at NUST’s Department of Student Services, says these new spaces are often out of reach for the average student. “More buildings are going up, but they’re targeting working professionals,” Homukoto says. “This leads to higher competition among students for the few affordable options, which pushes prices even higher.”
Inflation
Inflation and the location of rental properties also drive up prices. “Accommodation near campus comes with convenience and better facilities, which increases demand - and landlords raise the prices accordingly,” he adds. “I constantly receive complaints from students about the cost of accommodation. Even though I want to help, there’s only so much I can do. Quality is another major issue. Because there’s no independent body regulating student housing, it’s hard to hold landlords accountable.”
A 21-year-old third-year UNAM student spoke with Network Media Hub under anonymity about these concerns. “While the place I stay is close to campus and has good security, sharing a room makes it difficult to concentrate, especially during exams or online classes,” he says. “There’s little privacy, and even though it’s convenient, the cost is still too high - especially since I’m not getting any financial help from home.”
Homukoto believes the solution lies in systemic change. He urges the Namibian government to establish a rental control board specifically for student accommodation. “Such a board could regulate pricing, enforce standards, and protect students from exploitation. This would directly support their academic success,” he says.
Until meaningful reform is introduced, students across Namibia will continue to juggle the pressure of university life with the soaring cost of simply having a place to sleep.