The home we love, the city of York, is evolving in a manner that upsets the balance of residency. Our city is facing a housing shortage due to the rising number of university students. We, the long-standing residents of this historical city, are being forced to relocate due to inflating housing costs and rising council tax consistent with the influx of students. We have around 27,000 university students in York. I understand York council are no longer taking on new applicants on to their housing list 

In England, full-time university students are exempted from council tax, leaving the local residents to shoulder the financial burden. Over the past four years, we have had to compensate for this deficit, resulting in a considerable rise in our tax bills. 

As per a report by the Higher Education Statistics Agency, there has been an approximate 50% increase in student enrolment in the UK over the past two decades (source: Higher Education Statistics Agency). A considerable part of this increase is in York, placing an additional strain on housing resources, thus upsetting the equilibrium of our community.

We are not against education or students. We only seek a sustainable solution to this issue. The beauty of York relies on its diverse population of different age groups and different walks of life. To maintain this balance, there needs to be a sensible restriction on student numbers.

We appeal to the City of York Council and the universities in our city to cap the number of university student admissions, relieving the pressure on housing and council tax for local residents. Sign our petition to help put forth your support for this cause. Together, we can ensure a harmonious and sustainable York for everyone.