ATU Galway urges homeowners to open spare rooms as student housing crisis deepens ahead of new term
As ATU Galway continues to face barriers to developing student accommodation, the university has called on homeowners across the city to consider renting out spare rooms ahead of the new academic year.
ATU president Dr Orla Flynn has this week appealed to homeowners who may have an extra bedroom available in their homes under the Government’s Rent-a-Room Relief scheme.
Homeowners can earn up to €14,000 a year tax-free by renting a room in their private residence. To qualify, the homeowner must live in the property for most of the year and provide accommodation on a long-term basis of more than 28 consecutive days.
Arrangements relating meals and other household amenities can be agreed directly between the homeowner and student, and the homeowner would not be responsible for transportation.
Rooms made available under the scheme will be advertised through the university’s accommodation platform, giving students direct access to available listings.
ATU Galway is connected to the wider part of Galway City via the 402, 404, and 409 bus service as well as other route servicing the county.
The appeal has been made across ATU’s campuses in Galway, Sligo, Donegal and Mayo.
“By offering a spare room, homeowners can play a direct role in supporting a student’s education. It is more than simply providing a roof over someone’s head – it can offer reassurance and stability to a student as they settle into university life,” Dr Flynn said.
“Hosting a student can also be a positive and rewarding experience for the homeowner, bringing new energy and connections into the home and wider community.”
ATU Galway is preparing for another academic year with student accommodation remaining the “number one big challenge”, she added.
The university has previously said it is unable to access State funding to build student housing as provisions under the Technological Universities Act 2018 have yet to be implemented.
While the legislation provides a framework through which technological universities can access funding, the necessary mechanisms are not yet in place.
Speaking at a Galway City Council meeting in July, Dr Flynn said the university continues to explore options for developing student accommodation while also pursuing interim measures to address demand.
For now, she is urging the local community to help ease the transition for students arriving in Galway this Autumn.