Thursday, 23 October 2025
The City of Brno is introducing a new shared housing initiative aimed at university students, transforming one of its larger municipal apartments in the city centre into accommodation for young residents. The move marks the first time the municipality has adapted its shared living model—previously used successfully for senior citizens—for students.
The apartment, measuring just under 120 square metres, will be offered to a group of three to six students under the age of 30 who are enrolled in full-time university studies. Monthly rent has been set at 96 CZK per square metre, and applications will open in November. Tenants will be chosen through a public draw.
A condition of the lease requires new residents to register their permanent address at the property within two months of moving in. The city emphasises that this measure not only ensures administrative transparency but also benefits Brno’s municipal finances, as tax allocations from the state are linked to the number of officially registered residents.
Mayor Markéta Vaňková explained that the city decided to convert the large apartment after finding it difficult to rent out similar-sized units as standard municipal flats. The building’s layout—situated on the second floor with access only via a narrow spiral staircase—made it unsuitable for senior living, prompting the city to explore a student-focused alternative.
Deputy Mayor for Housing Karin Podivinská said the initiative is part of a broader effort to make public housing more accessible to younger people. “We want to show that municipal housing can also serve students and young professionals, offering them an affordable and stable start while studying or beginning their careers,” she noted.
The shared apartment model for seniors, first introduced several years ago, has already proven successful in addressing isolation among older residents while maintaining independent living. City officials hope the student version will have a similar social and economic impact, helping retain young talent in Brno while easing pressure on the city’s increasingly competitive private rental market.
The program complements Brno’s existing starter housing schemes for young individuals and couples and may serve as a pilot for future student-oriented municipal housing projects if successful.
Source: CTK
