The South African National Student Accommodation Association SANSAA has given the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) until 30 June to announce the CPI‑linked 2026 student accommodation rates, or face a sector in crisis.

The organisation, which says it represents accommodation providers housing more than 300 000 students nationally, says South Africa is now in June, the halfway mark of the year.

Crisis impact on students 

According to the association, the delay is not only a provider problem. It says that students are already feeling it.

To cope with mounting costs, landlords have been forced to cut amenities essential to a decent student living environment, compromising the quality of life of the very students NSFAS exists to support, it says.

“If the funding model continues to ignore economic reality, providers will exit the student housing market altogether. Fewer beds, reduced services and deteriorating conditions will follow, and it is the most vulnerable students, those with no alternatives, who will bear the cost.” 

Landlords, mindful of the needs of students and the country, are choosing to house students when they could deploy their capital elsewhere, Monks says. South Africa cannot afford to make that choice to look foolish.

SANSAA says it has engaged NSFAS on this matter on several occasions, including at the CEO level, but commitments were made and never honoured.