A growing accommodation crisis at Cape Peninsula University of Technology’s (CPUT) District Six campus has left scores of students—many from outside the province—homeless and desperate, with some resorting to sleeping on the floors of campus buildings.
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A growing accommodation crisis at Cape Peninsula University of Technology’s (CPUT) District Six campus has left scores of students—many from outside the province—homeless and desperate, with some resorting to sleeping on the floors of campus buildings.
Despite being academically accepted, many students claim their residence applications have been left “pending” for weeks, while others have been outright declined without clear explanations.
This is not just a CPUT issue but a problem affecting students across the country as the higher education academic year begins in February.
The crisis has hit first-year and returning students particularly hard, especially those who had been relying on campus accommodation and cannot afford private rentals.
“I am a returning student, and I was living in private accommodation last year. I applied for residence and was placed on a waiting list. I came all the way from the Eastern Cape to sort this out because I don’t have money to pay for private accommodation deposits. I don’t even know where I will sleep tonight,” one student said.
A Facebook post by user Ladylonndie shared an anonymous email from a student describing the situation as dire.
“Many returning students, including myself, have been left homeless despite meeting the university’s accommodation requirements. We come from different provinces with no support system in Cape Town, and we are forced to sleep on the floor at the student centre every night,” the email read.
The student further accused CPUT of poor communication, claiming that residence applications were not being processed efficiently.
“The university claims that the accommodations are full, but we have reason to believe this is not the case. Many available spaces are not being allocated to students in need,” the email continued.
Some students expressed frustration over the alleged inaccessibility of officials responsible for handling residence placements.
“Whenever we try to reach out, we’re told (the official) is working from home, but she is nowhere to be found. It seems she works when she wants to. The lack of transparency is frustrating. Our mental health is suffering, and we are at a breaking point,” the student added.
The university’s Department of Student Life and Residential Services responded via email, clarifying that first-year students were only expected to move into residences from 7 February, more than a week away.
“First-year applicants are not anticipated to be on campus at this time,” the email read.
“The Residence Placement Office is actively processing placements for first-year students, and notifications will be communicated as decisions are finalised. We kindly request that no first-year students approach the residences without prior confirmation of their accommodation.”
The university also urged students to refrain from walk-in inquiries, explaining that late applications or in-person requests could not be accommodated. Instead, students were directed to contact designated email addresses for assistance.
With classes already underway, many students fear that missing the first few weeks could severely impact their academic performance.
“Without a place to stay, we won’t be able to attend classes. The hunger and desperation will consume us,” one student lamented.
The lack of accommodation not only affects students’ ability to focus on their studies but also takes a serious mental and emotional toll.
“We left our families with the hope of returning with our degrees. But the way things are now, we might return with nothing,” another student said.
IOL News
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