Affordable Housing – Staff (11.4.4)

Provision of affordable housing options for university employees.

Introduction:

Al-Ahliyya Amman University (AAU) is committed to supporting staff well-being, financial stability, and equitable access to adequate living conditions through the provision of affordable, accessible housing options for employees.
Guided by the Affordable Housing Provision for Students and Staff Procedure and aligned with SDG11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), AAU ensures that full-time, part-time, and outsourced staff have access to affordable housing solutions that reduce commuting distance, improve quality of life, and support sustainable community integration.

Affordable housing initiatives contribute to:
• reducing transportation and commuting burdens,
• enhancing staff satisfaction and retention,
• improving financial security for employees,
• fostering inclusive and equitable working environments.

These initiatives ensure that AAU functions not only as an academic institution but also as a socially responsible employer promoting dignified, affordable, and accessible housing conditions for all staff.

Centers and Departments:

January
01

1. Human Resources & Institutional Development Unit

Oversees eligibility, allocation processes, financial assessments, and monitoring of housing support programs for staff.

January
01

2. Sustainability & International Ranking Center (SIRC)

Ensures SDG11 alignment, monitors staff housing indicators, and documents affordable housing outcomes for global reporting.

January
01

3. Finance Department

Manages budgets related to staff housing assistance, subsidies, instalment programs, and financial support mechanisms.

January
01

4. General Supplies & Services Department

Supports logistical housing arrangements, campus accommodation requirements, and service-related housing facilities for staff.

January
01

5. Global Engagement Center (GEC)

Facilitates temporary housing support for visiting staff, international scholars, and academic exchange personnel.

Activities:

January
01

1. Affordable Housing Provision for Students and Staff Procedure

A formal AAU procedure ensuring fair, transparent access to affordable housing solutions.

January
01

2. National Study on Decent Housing – AAU Advisory Participation

Student placements are offered in electric AAU participated on the advisory committee of a national study examining culturally appropriate, affordable housing standards in Jordan—impacting internal staff housing policy improvements.

January
01

3. Remote Working Procedure to Reduce Housing-Related Commuting Pressures

AAU’s telecommuting framework supports staff living farther from campus, enabling them to work remotely part of the month—making housing more affordable by reducing transport burdens.

January
01

4. Sustainable Commuting & Housing Practices Policy

Supports staff by linking housing location, commuting distance, and sustainable transportation planning.

January
01

5. Public Engagement in Community Housing Planning (via Workshops & Research)

Workshops such as “Women on the Green Path” included components related to community housing, sustainability, and equitable urban development.

Impact Evaluation & Development Plan

A . Performance Evaluation

Structured Assessment Tools

AAU evaluates staff housing via: • affordability assessments,
• staff satisfaction surveys,
• commuting distance analysis,
• financial accessibility evaluations,
• annual reviews of staff-housing eligibility.

Annual Assessment Cycles

Each academic year, AAU reviews: • number of staff benefiting from housing support,
• impact of remote work on housing affordability,
• transport burden reductions,
• housing-request patterns,
• financial accessibility indicators.

Quantitative & Qualitative Indicators

Indicators include: • % of staff receiving housing support,
• average distance reduced in commuting,
• changes in staff housing satisfaction,
• financial savings attributed to support programs,
• qualitative feedback from staff.

Integration with HR & Welfare Systems

Housing insights inform: • staff welfare plans,
• salary and budgeting structures,
• remote work expansion,
• recruitment and retention strategies.

Transparency and Public Reporting

All housing-related procedures and results are published via:
• AAU Sustainability Report 2024–2025
• SDG11 Executive Report
• AAU Sustainability Portal

B. Development Actions

Action 1: Staff Housing Subsidy Expansion

Increase the number of staff eligible for housing support programs. Target: +20% by 2027.

Action 2: Housing Installment Program

Offer low-interest installments for staff renting or purchasing nearby residences. Target: launch by 2026.

Action 3: Staff Housing Advisory Service

Create a service to guide staff on housing options near campus. Target: operational in 2025.

Action 4: Remote Work Optimization

Increase remote work to reduce commuting and housing-pressure zones. Target: 2 remote days/month for eligible staff.

Action 5: Municipal Housing Collaboration

Work with municipalities on culturally appropriate, affordable housing planning that benefits university staff.
Target: 3 official collaborations by 2026.

C. Benchmarking & Best Practice

AAU benchmarks its staff housing policies against: • University of British Columbia – Staff Housing Support
• University of Melbourne – Affordable Academic Housing
• University of Cambridge – Inclusive Community Housing
• University of Gothenburg – Equity-Based Staff Welfare Programs

Best Practices Adopted

transparent housing-allocation procedures• affordability evaluation tools
• sustainable mobility–housing integration
• remote work to reduce housing demand pressure
• financial support mechanisms for staff

Localization to Jordan’s Context

Aligned with: • Jordan National Housing Strategy
• Ministry of Public Works & Housing directives
• Affordable Housing Procedure
• Sustainable Commuting & Housing Policy

Future Goal (by 2028)

Establish the AAU Staff Housing Support Center, dedicated to staff welfare, housing affordability, and sustainable living solutions.

Institutional Integration Summary

Through coordinated efforts by HR, SIRC, Finance, DSS, and GEC, AAU ensures that staff members have access to fair, affordable, and sustainable housing options.
These initiatives support staff well-being, promote sustainable living patterns, reduce commuting pressures, and contribute directly to SDG11 and national housing objectives.