Student housing crisis: R44m NSFAS debt is ‘tip of the iceberg’ - Private Student Housing Association
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme stands accused of not paying its debt.
Picture: fizkes/123rf
Africa Melane speaks with Pieter Feenstra, CEO of Feenstra Group and Director of the Private Student Housing Association (PSHA).
Listen below:
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has an unresolved debt of R44 million for student housing.
The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) has called for urgent reform as they fear the mishandling of student accommodation could escalate into a national crisis.
They say they are ready to settle outstanding rental payments for beneficiaries before the start of the 2025 academic year.
Feenstra says this unpaid debt is creating enormous problems, and worries it is just the tip of the iceberg.
“There is a much bigger issue here… Urgent reform is needed to fix this problem.”
– Pieter Feenstra, Director - Private Student Housing Association
He says there is a shortage of student housing and issues with NSFAS, including delayed payments, cause major problems and make it unaffordable to run student accommodation.
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.