The Complexities of Student Housing

Abstract

Student housing is a crucial contributor to urban revitalization and neighborhood change. This paper offers a framework for conceptualizing student housing, engaging the complexity of the sector, including universities, students, and local governments, and placing it within the context of urban housing markets. Amidst university budget shortfalls and enrollment expansion, a dedicated student housing industry has emerged to fill housing shortfalls. The industry has reshaped local development patterns, with developers, operators, and investors capitalizing on the demand. Drawing from diverse academic research, this paper synthesizes insights into the form, processes, and implications of student housing, examining its relationship with higher education trends, its impact on neighborhood dynamics, and the interplay of market forces and institutional priorities. Focused primarily on the North American context, the discourse lays the groundwork for a renewed understanding of the importance of student housing in university communities and the ways local policy can help shape it.