Student housing investment strategies through location and building services. A study of privately-owned student housing around university campuses in Northern Ghana

Abstract

The study assesses the investment strategies private investors employ in student housing to remain viable by attracting students to the hostels with minimum impact of location on such decisions of students. The study used a mixed-methods approach involving surveys and interviews. The Hedonic Price Model through Multiple regression and ANOVA were used to analyse quantitative data, while qualitative data were analysed using themes. The study found a gradual rise in student housing rent with increasing distance from university campuses. As a strategy, investors in student housing distant from university campuses offer special building services over and above those hostels near campuses. It allows distant hostels to stay competitive in the student housing market. In addition, the paper highlights student's' preferences such as internet services, private lavatories and security, which investors should consider in the provision of student housing to enhance occupancy rate and eventually increase returns. The study also reiterates the need for specificity in using the Hedonic Price Model in housing research.

Nature of student housing in Ghana: drivers of physical health condition effects on students living with disability (SWD) in Purpose-Built university housing

“…The study found that a reduction and irregular cleaning of rooms and dust in student housing contributed to higher weights that led to diseases such as diarrhea, skin rashes, fever and malaria in SWD across the study locations. The nature of the inbuilt toilet facility does not have effects compared to studies (Aziabah et al, 2022;Attakora-Amaniampong et al, 2021). A student with a disability indicated that this does not affect their sleep.…”