For many students, the academic year begins months in advance. Not in the lecture hall, but in the search for a room. In Brussels, that is no easy task: demand is rising, supply is lagging behind, and affordable rooms are scarce. The VUB wants to make a difference with a focused approach. Recently, Britt Vandesonneville took the lead of the student housing service. After six years in the team, she knows the challenges inside out. “Finding a room shouldn’t be a battle. Yet for some students, it still feels that way.”
Britt Vandesonneville, Head of Student Housing at the VUB
As an alumna, Britt found her way into the service almost by chance. “I saw a vacancy for a reception role and thought: this looks interesting. I didn’t expect to still be here six years later. But I’ve really been able to grow here.” Her own experience with student housing plays a role too. “I was too late to apply for a VUB room and had to turn to the private market. I often use that as advice now: don’t wait too long.”
The biggest challenge today is clear. “There’s a growing shortage of affordable student rooms,” she says. “What’s being added on the private market are often studios or high-end rooms. For many students, that’s simply not realistic.” She sees the impact every day. “We often hear that a VUB room is the only affordable option. Some students are forced to commute. Others even hesitate to come and study here.”
Students feel that impact in their studies too. Master’s law student Shqipe Imeri (22): “Since living in student accommodation, I attend classes and go to the library much more often. Commuting made me tired and sometimes quite isolated.” Her path to a room was far from straightforward: “I assumed I’d get a VUB room, so I didn’t keep looking. In the end, I spent months on the waiting list.” She only secured a VUB room in her second year, where she stayed for three years. She now rents on the private market, but that also comes with challenges. “It often works through word of mouth, or you have to go straight for something very expensive.”
For international students, the threshold is even higher, especially on the private market. “They often search from abroad and have to take greater risks. Every year, we see students arriving with their suitcases, ready to collect their keys, only to discover their accommodation doesn’t exist. Then you’re standing there, in a foreign city, with nowhere to go. Those are truly distressing situations.”
That is exactly where VUB aims to make a difference. “With us, students get more than just a room. They get support, a point of contact, and an environment where they feel safe.” The housing coach, known as the “kotcoach”, plays a central role in this. “They bring students together, from karaoke to open-air cinema on campus. During the exam period, we even had a petting zoo visit. It may sound trivial, but for students who are here on their own, it makes a world of difference.”
The service also places strong emphasis on clear communication. “We try to inform students honestly about their chances. Sometimes that means saying: it’s going to be difficult. But at least that allows them to explore other options in time.”
“When students live well, they study better. It’s as simple as that”
What defines good student housing? For Britt, it starts with a feeling. “A student room should be a place where you can unwind. Where you can study, but also feel at home. You see that in the small things too. We try to match students thoughtfully. And then you see housemates become best friends, or even continue living together after their studies. Those are the moments when you know: this works.”
The challenges are significant, and the VUB cannot solve them alone. “We work with partners such as BRIK and try to have an impact on new developments. When developers want to build student accommodation, we can help steer towards affordability and quality. But it remains a balancing act.”
For Britt, the core message is clear: “When students live well, they study better. It’s as simple as that.”
Contact
The Student Housing Service is available on both the VUB Main Campus (Etterbeek) and the VUB Health Campus (Jette). You can contact the team with any questions about student accommodation at the VUB, rental prices, allocation criteria, and more.
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