Prof Dr Christoph Holtwisch, Managing Director of STW Münster

Preventing homelessness among international students through the work of student services organisations

Drawing on existing academic literature, this lecture explores the often overlooked issue of (potential) student homelessness in Germany. It is informed both by the authors’ practical experience and by a standardised online survey conducted by ARGE NRW in autumn 2025. The presentation reports empirical findings on the availability and use of regular and emergency accommodation, including provision and occupancy rates. A key result shows that international students are disproportionately represented in both types of housing. The study further analyses the underlying causes, focusing on the specific challenges that make international students a particularly vulnerable group. Finally, the lecture argues that this problem is likely to intensify in the context of ongoing internationalisation strategies at universities, highlighting the need to strengthen the problem-solving capacity of student services. Concrete recommendations for action are presented.