Affordable Housing – Students (11.4.5)

Provision of affordable housing and dormitory facilities for students.

Introduction:

Al-Ahliyya Amman University (AAU) is deeply committed to ensuring that all students have access to safe, affordable, and inclusive housing options that support academic success, well-being, and equitable educational opportunities.

Guided by the Affordable Housing Provision for Students and Staff Procedure, AAU provides structured mechanisms that help students local, regional, and international secure financially accessible accommodations near campus. This initiative supports SDG11 by promoting affordable living, reducing commuting burdens, enhancing campus life, and supporting environmentally responsible mobility patterns.

Student housing support initiatives prioritize:
• affordability and financial accessibility,
• proximity and reduced commuting distance,
• safety, comfort, and inclusivity,
• fair allocation procedures,
• culturally appropriate living conditions consistent with Jordanian community values.

These efforts ensure that every AAU student can access stable and affordable housing that strengthens their educational journey.

Centers and Departments:

January
01

1. Admission and Registration Department (DAR)

Provides incoming students with guidance on available housing options, registration support, and services for international students.

January
01

2. Human Resources & Institutional Development Unit

Ensures policy oversight and alignment between student and staff housing frameworks, providing governance and procedural compliance.

January
01

3. Sustainability and International Ranking Center (SIRC)

Monitors SDG11 housing indicators, evaluates accessibility, and reports annually on student housing affordability.

January
01

4. Finance Department

Oversees budgeting, financial aid integration with housing, installment options, and affordability assessments for students.

January
01

5. Global Engagement Center (GEC)

Supports international students by facilitating temporary housing, cultural integration, and safe accommodation arrangements upon arrival.

Activities:

January
01

1. Affordable Housing Provision for Students and Staff Procedure

Defines eligibility, application processes, affordability criteria, and allocation rules for student housing.

January
01

2. National Study Participation – Decent Housing in Jordan

AAU contributed to an advisory committee evaluating “decent housing” standards in Jordan, supporting culturally suitable, safe, and affordable student-housing improvements.

January
01

3. Remote Learning & Hybrid Instruction Support

HEC enables students—especially those living far from campus—to reduce daily commuting and housing costs through hybrid or online course access.

January
01

4. Sustainable Commuting & Housing Practices Policy

Supports integrated planning of student housing and transportation, reducing living expenses related to commuting.

January
01

5. Community Housing & Cultural Integration Workshops

Events such as “Women on the Green Path” support culturally appropriate housing principles, community identity, and inclusive living environments for students.

Impact Evaluation & Development Plan

A. Performance Evaluation

Structured Assessment Tools

AAU uses structured evaluation mechanisms for student housing, including:
• affordability surveys,
• student welfare assessments,
• commuting-distance analysis,
• cultural appropriateness and safety reviews,
• satisfaction surveys for local and international students.

2. Annual Assessment Cycles

Annual reviews focus on:
• number of students supported with affordable housing,
• housing availability trends,
• integration of housing with student support services,
• cost-of-living changes,
• reliance on remote-learning options to ease housing burdens.

Quantitative & Qualitative Indicators

Indicators include:
• % of students receiving housing assistance,
• average cost reduction achieved,
• student commute-distance decreases,
• financial accessibility improvements,
• student satisfaction and housing-experience narratives.

B. Integration with Student Support Systems

Housing insights directly inform:
• student welfare programs,
• financial aid and scholarship structuring,
• international student onboarding,
• transportation and commuting frameworks.

C. Transparency & Public Reporting

Housing policies and results are published through:
• AAU Sustainability Report 2024–2025
• SDG11 Executive Report
• AAU Sustainability Portal

B. Development Actions

Action 1: Student Housing Assistance Expansion

Increase the number of students eligible for housing support.
Target: +25% by 2027.

Action 2: Affordable Housing Installment Programs

Introduce installment-based housing fee structures for financially constrained students.
Target: rollout in 2026.

Action 3: International Student Housing Service Desk

Develop a dedicated support desk to help international students secure safe and affordable accommodation near the university.
Target: operational by 2025.

Action 4: Digital Housing Portal

Launch an online platform listing approved, safe, and affordable housing options.
Target: platform ready by 2026.

Action 5: Partnerships with Local Housing Providers

Create agreements with nearby landlords and real-estate entities to secure discounted housing for AAU students.
Target: 5 partnerships established by 2027.

C. Benchmarking & Best Practice

AAU benchmarks student housing with global leaders:
• University of British Columbia – Student Housing Excellence
• University of Melbourne – Inclusive Housing Framework
• University of Cambridge – Affordable Accommodation Schemes
• University of Gothenburg – Student Welfare Housing Support

Best Practices Adopted
- transparent allocation processes
  • affordability-based eligibility
  • combined housing-transport planning
  • cultural integration programs
  • remote-learning support for reduced living costs
Localization to Jordan’s Context

Aligned with:
• Jordan National Housing Strategy
• Cultural & social norms of student life
• AAU Affordable Housing Procedure
• Sustainable Commuting & Housing Practices Policy

Future Goal (by 2028)

Establish the AAU Student Housing Support Center, providing fully integrated housing guidance, financial assistance, and safe accommodation services for all AAU students.

Institutional Integration Summary

Through coordinated actions by DAR, HR, SIRC, Finance, and GEC, AAU ensures that students local and international have access to fair, affordable, and culturally appropriate housing solutions.
These initiatives create a supportive academic environment, reduce financial barriers, strengthen campus community life, and directly advance SDG11.