The Gozo University Group has said that during the Pre Budget Consultation held in Gozo last week, the Minister for Gozo Dr Anton Refalo expressed his opinion on GUG’s proposal for a student hostel and the problem students are facing to find accommodation.

“The Minister stated that he is not in favour of the idea proposed by GUG to build a students hostel due to the idea that the hostel will not be available to all students at once. Rather, he believes that the solution for rising rent is an increase in subsidy,” GUG said.

In its statement this morning, The Gozo University Group said that whilst it is not against an increase in subsidy, it reasons that this is only a short-term solution and it will only be postponing the problem of the ever rising rental prices. “A student hostel is in fact the long-term solution to this situation.”

The University Group is proposing that the hostel should accommodate students on a means test basis.

GUG added that it believes that the building of the hostel which should accommodate a substantial amount of students, “would lessen the demand, and thus will be helping both,students who will be accommodated in the hostel and other who will be seeking alternative accommodation, since the demand for such accommodation will decrease.”

GUG concluded by saying that it continues to urge the relevant authorities “to take this proposal seriously,” as they believe it is the best option going forward.

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