Deficit of dormitory capacity deepens in Prague

Prague has run out of dorm room space, according to the daily Lidove noviny. It reports that Charles University, which has more than 11,000 beds for its students, needs up to 15 percent more to satisfy the level of demand it's getting. The Czech Agricultural University is claiming it had to turn down 1,200 requests for dormitory space. Schools which were previously able to provide housing for guest lecturers and professors are no longer able to do so. Students who are unable to find dorm space are having to look for space in private apartments, but the rent they have to pay is often too high, while many landlords are unwilling to take a risk on young people who generally won't pay for the summer months when they're not in school. Dorm rooms cost students between CZK 2,500 to CZK 7,000 per month. Some senior living homes have responded by offering students a cheap room in return for spending 30 hour per month with their clients. For Prague to continue attracting more students to the city will require that it be able to offer them appropriately priced accommodations.