At a meeting last week, Cr Jieh-Yung Lo said an article in the Monash Journal ('Struggling students skip meals', February 9) prompted him to see what the council could do on the issue.

He recommended the council adopt a student housing policy that would ensure the needs of future students were met with a focus on location, design and management standards.

His submission would require developers to "address the issue of need and to promote a positive living experience for students".

Cr Lo told the meeting that a good living environment would help students focus on their education.

Cr Denise McGill proposed the policy should be broadened to include private rental homes that are let out as student accommodation.

Monash Student Association president Julian Campbell welcomed the initiative and was glad the council was responding to students' concerns.

"Any good policy will involve strong consultation with key stakeholders and Monash students look forward to working with the council in this policy's creation."

Mr Campbell said it was important to remember that a full solution would address conditions, cost and availability.

"Addressing only conditions could have a detrimental effect on the amount of rental properties offered, or the cost charged to each student, so it's important [it is] a holistic solution."

MSA welfare officer Lucy Hotchin agreed it was important that a student housing policy also considered the cost and quantity of available housing.

"The housing policy is a great initiative and will help monitor the quality of housing that students are living in, however, this could affect the costs and number of students living in each house, creating more of a problem with quantity as more demand is placed on housing that complies with the policy."

Monash is home to two large tertiary institutions: Monash University's Clayton campus and Holmesglen TAFE's Waverley campus have a combined student population of more than 60,000.

A draft policy is expected to be ready next month and will be open for public submission and feedback.