As the academic year begins in Norway, over 12,000 students are still waiting for student housing, with the longest queues in Oslo, where nearly 5,800 students are on the waiting list.

To address the shortage, study halls and cafeterias in Oslo and Bergen have been converted into temporary sleeping quarters.

Despite these efforts, many students, like Adele Thomassen, have faced long waits, with some only securing housing just before the semester starts.

The Norwegian Student Organization (NSO) and the Samskipnadsrådet are urging for more student housing to be built quickly and for increased government subsidies to alleviate the pressure.

Meanwhile, students are encouraged to explore the private rental market, although it is often expensive and competitive.

The situation highlights the urgent need for long-term solutions to ensure students can focus on their studies rather than housing concerns.