Student tenants towards rental housing justice: a study of two Indian cities, Delhi and Prayagraj (Allahabad)

This study explored how the financialization of student housing in Delhi and Prayagraj heightened tenant vulnerabilities and assessed the role of student activism in addressing these challenges. Specifically, it addresses the question, ‘How does the financialization of student housing in Delhi and Prayagraj shape tenant vulnerabilities, and what role does student activism play in addressing these challenges?’ To address this question, the study used a qualitative methodology, incorporating methods like the semi-structured interviews with students, activists, municipal officials, and experts, alongside analysis of grey literature and participant observation. Thematic analysis the resulting data revealed that financialization amplified economic pressures, restricted tenant decision-making, and fostered exploitative practices. Students reported rising rents, unstable housing, and discrimination based on gender and regional identity. While Delhi witnessed some student activism, sustained collective efforts in Prayagraj were limited by structural and cultural barriers. The findings highlight how financialization interacts with local norms to influence housing insecurity and tenant organizing. This study, focusing on a Global South context, contributes to housing justice literature, emphasizing the need for stronger protections, culturally sensitive strategies, and recognition of student tenants as crucial stakeholders in shaping equitable housing policies.