Students from 23 universities gathered in London to celebrate the success and expansion of the Foyer/UNIAID Accommodation Bursary scheme, which will support 55 students facing hardship during the 2007/8 academic year, providing them with a year's free accommodation.
Attendees at the celebration event heard from students currently benefiting from the innovative scheme about how the bursary has made a massive effect on their lives at university.
The key partners of the scheme also spoke. Sally Olohan, Head of Student Services at NTU, challenged other universities to follow NTU's lead on incorporating the accommodation scheme into their OFFA agreements. Sally described how Nottingham Trent University has been the first University to donate places, and have embedded the scheme as part of a university's OFFA agreement.
Jane Slowey, Chief Executive of the Foyer Federation described how the Foyer-UNIAID Accommodation Bursary scheme answered the call in a recent HEFCE report to build new and innovative partnerships in order to increase participation in higher education. The scheme offers just such a partnership, enabling higher education, business, the voluntary sector, young people and other individuals to work together to enable vulnerable students to complete their courses.
Mark Allan, Chief Executive of UNITE said:
"We are proud to have seen the programme grow over the years. We are delighted to be working together with Foyer and UNIAID and the universities involved and hope that other student accommodation providers will be moved to follow UNITE's lead and give accommodation bursaries because it makes such a powerful and direct difference to people's lives. We now look forward to extending the scheme to Scotland and Wales."
Higher Education, for many Foyer-UNIAID Accommodation Bursary students has provided a haven from homelessness, family breakdown or displacement. However, the cost of accommodation can be the deciding factor for many students, whether they remain in higher education or not.
The bursaries are now administered by the Foyer Federation, whose national network ensures that the support reaches those most in need. The importance of this national scheme has been recognised by the continued sponsorship of Universities UK, the body that represents Vice Chancellors in the UK. Plans for next year - with the continued support of UNITE - include the introduction of places in Glasgow and Edinburgh and Cardiff, as well as continuing in the current cities.
The Foyer Federation welcomed Gordon Brown's announcement that the Government will consider reforming the 16 Hour Rule.
This comes after a 5 year campaign run by the Foyer Federation on behalf of the 10,000 young people that Foyers across the UK provide housing, education and support for every year.
In a report published by the Department for Work and Pensions, Peter Hain Secretary of State for Work and Pensions said:
"because we recognise the particular challenges faced by some vulnerable groups who require Housing Benefit whilst undertaking necessary full-time training, we will consider whether it might be practicable to define limited exemptions from the '16 hour rule' for specific groups - such as young people living in supported accommodation."
Foyer's Chief Executive, Jane Slowey, said:
"Too many Foyer residents have been forced to choose between their home and their education as a result of benefit regulations. After a long campaign, involving many young people affected by the 16 Hour Rule, I am delighted that Government has recognised that homeless young people need extra support to build themselves a future."
The 16 Hour Rule prevents young people aged over 19 and studying full time from claiming Housing Benefit - often forcing them to choose between their home and their education.
