Petition “Funding and expansion of the Studierendenwerk instead of price increases –
Together against the 13th monthly rent!”
 
We demand:
Sufficient and secure long-term public funding for the Studierendenwerk for:

1. Withdrawal of the rent increase and medium-term reduction of rents to a maximum
   of € 270 (1/3 of the income of more than a third of students![1])
2. Building more halls of residence - places in halls of residence for at least 15% of all students and trainees by 2030![2]
3. No increase in the semester contribution and medium-term reduction of the contribution!
4. No increase and early reduction in canteen/mensa prices!

The Studierendenwerk serves to enable education and social participation for all. The Studierendenwerk was founded for this purpose in 1922. However, the public subsidy, which has been inadequate for years, has repeatedly forced the Studierendenwerk to pass on the financial burden directly to the students. This massively undermines this founding idea.
 
The planned rent increases, contribution increases and rising canteen prices from January 2025 pose an existential threat to many students. Almost 80% of students who live alone or with other students or trainees are already considered to be at risk of poverty[3] – And the trend is rising. Instead of further exacerbating the social emergency, we need: the public sector to finance the Studierendenwerk!
 
Successes have already been achieved in recent years: The avoidance of drastic semester fee increases, the reintroduction of the option to pay in cash in the Mensa Studierendenhaus and the Equalisation of the deficit for 2023 and 2024 are examples of what can be achieved through student involvement.
 
Because we say: Education must not be a luxury! The economic stability and further development of the Studierendenwerk must not be carried out on the shoulders of those who are already the most burdened in society. Reliable and needs-based public funding is required.
 

click here fore the flyer

Why is this important?

1. Educational equity: The rising costs act as an exclusion criterion for many people who can no longer afford to study under the current conditions.
2. Social responsibility: The Studierendenwerk is not a profit-orientated company, but an institution with a social mission. Services such as affordable housing, cheap meals and social counselling are essential for many students.
3. The future of science: In an increasingly complex world, we need more well-trained scientists to solve global crises. If fewer people can afford to study, it harms society as a whole.

Instead, this is the opposite:

1. Rent increase in student residences by an average of €36 per month: This rent increase adds up to over €400 per year - the equivalent of an additional month's rent per year. For many students, this is an unbearable additional burden.
2. StW HH semester fee increase of €16 by the end of 2025: Despite the already high financial burden, the semester fee is rising again. For many, studying will therefore become a question of the purse.
3. Price increase of 6% in the canteen: The Mensa in particular was originally founded as a place to go for cheap meals and exchange opportunities. This increase means that even fewer students will be able to afford a balanced meal in the canteen.

This is not only socially unjust, but also socially short-sighted: neither social inequality, ecological devastation nor violent conflicts can be solved in this way. After all, fewer students mean less education, less research and less social development in the long term.
 
What can you do?
Sign this petition and join us in calling on the Hamburg Senate and the management of the Studierendenwerk to sustainably secure and improve the social infrastructure for students. Get active with us! Text us: HRK.Hamburg@gmx.de
For affordable housing, access to affordable food and a right to education!

[1] https://www.studierendenwerke.de/themen/hochschulpolitik/sozialerhebung (last visit 06.10.2024)
[2] In winter semester 2018/19, the ratio of places in halls of residence to eligible students was 6.14%, see Student Accommodation - Statistical Overview 2023: https://www.studierendenwerke.de/fileadmin/user_upload/231218_DSW_Wohnen23_web.pdf (last visit 05.10.2024)
[3] https://www.destatis.de/DE/Presse/Pressemitteilungen/2024/08/PD24_N044_62.html (last visit 30.09.2024)

[This text was translated using ChatGPT. Please note that the translation may be inaccurate or lead to misunderstandings. The AStA does not guarantee the accuracy of this translation. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact us directly.]