Natasha Fernandes, University College Birmingham’s Guild’s Equalities Officer, was recently featured in the government’s All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for students on the national student housing crisis.

With the University committed to raising the quality of experiences for students and Natasha’s specialism in the challenges that international students and students with caring responsibilities encounter, the APPG provided parliamentarians with the knowledge to inform policies on student housing.

Natasha was joined by other student leaders on the panel from University of Nottingham, Oxford Brookes University, University of the Creative Arts and University of Lancaster; as well as Johnny Moore, Head of Business Management, Student Experience Division from Durham University; Paddy Jackman, the CEO of Unipol; Paul Blomfield MP who chaired the event and the National Union of Students UK, who provide secretariat to the APPG.

The meeting opened with general context from Paul Blomfield, talking about rising costs of rent, student hardship and substandard accommodation. Natasha then discussed her area of specialism: guarantors in the private rented sector, and the specific challenges faced by international students and care leavers who may not have an eligible, UK-based guarantor. 

Natasha had raised the need for multifaceted solutions in the face of the challenges these groups of students face – highlighting the need for regulations around affordability, financial assistance, and support navigating the legal process for these students.