Purpose-built accommodation, like UNITE Group's can contribute to re-balancing communities in a planned way and reduce studentification. Our accommodation is located primarily in city centres, is clearly branded and has a professional team of staff on site, so there's always a visible point of contact for all the community within the surrounding area. We have a duty to look after our neighbours. Professionally managed accommodation is far better than traditional student housing, because real people are on hand if there's ever a problem and we take pride in our developments, we want our customers and neighbours to feel proud of where they live. What's more, good accommodation attracts more students who spend their disposable incomes and boost the local economy. And large numbers of graduates stay on to become part of the town's cosmopolitan, well-qualified workforce.
| We know that half of students get involved in their local area and the number of graduates looking to stay within their university town/city is increasing – some 37% of post graduates in 2007. We work hard to build a sense of home. Independent research shows that the highest sense of ‘home’ is felt among those living in a shared room/flat from a corporate provider.
What’s more, by providing accommodation dedicated to students, UNITE Group is helping to free up valuable housing stock for families and others who really need it. And by developing brownfield sites in central urban locations, we’re helping to breathe new life into once-neglected areas. Good for our customers, and good for the community at large.
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