Questions by Camille Perlman
From the outside, it may look like graduate student housing has been forgotten, but it certainly hasn’t. Today, this type of campus housing is a thriving part of the campus community. Graduate students continue to apply for admission, and campus housing is high on their list of questions and concerns. The housing portion can also work as leverage by giving students an incentive to come to campus. Students want a convenient location with a reasonable cost, and they want to feel a sense of belonging on campus.
Here to talk about how they keep their graduate communities running at peak performance are Heidi Scribner, associate vice chancellor of auxiliary services at the University of California-Riverside; Jennifer Martinez, senior director of graduate and family housing residential life at the University of California, Irvine; Kaila Aimino, area coordinator for residence life and education in housing and residence life at the University of Florida; Erin Pettibone, assistant director of university family housing in the Spaces & Experiences Office at the University of Toronto; and Steve Masse, dean of residence and director of student life for student residences in the Spaces & Experiences Office at the University of Toronto.
There was a decline in this type of housing for many years. Why is that, and what has brought it back?
Heidi Scribner: Many campuses had existing grad housing (though likely pretty aged), grad and family housing facilities that came from the private market, former military housing, or housing converted from undergrad housing when campuses built newer, larger buildings. These older properties often carry high deferred maintenance costs (but low rents) to the point that it is sometimes best to close and demolish them, which can then lead to new construction or acquisition. As we know, even decently maintained buildings still have only a finite number of years left unless they were built of concrete and steel able to last 70-100 years (as housing people, we push for as many years as we can get, especially if they’re paid off).
And, of course, when the economy is in flux, higher ed tends to have more people opting for grad school and/or attending college a bit later in life with families in tow as they seek education to help improve career opportunities. We then see more students wanting campus housing, as the private market rents in many areas have increased by such large amounts and are carrying low vacancy rates, which make attending school very difficult to afford.
Jennifer Martinez: For many years, graduate and family housing stayed under the radar on most campuses. It wasn’t because it wasn’t needed; it was because it wasn’t seen as strategic. As budgets tightened and undergraduate enrollment grew, colleges and universities shifted limited resources to serve undergraduates, a population for which there is strong research linking on-campus living to higher retention and graduation rates. For graduate students, though, housing was long viewed as a convenience rather than a necessity.
That mindset is changing. As the cost of living and the total cost of attendance for graduate study have soared, institutions recognize that affordable, well-located housing is not a perk but serves as a competitive advantage. It helps recruit and retain top graduate talent and supports students through demanding academic programs.
Rising rental costs, limited available housing, and the growing number of international students have also fueled renewed investment in graduate housing. Campuses are beginning to see that graduate housing isn’t just about buildings. It’s about belonging.
Kaila Aimino: One of the factors that has had a major impact on housing is the COVID-19 pandemic. Though we are existing in our new normal and see the demand rising, there has been a shift in the past five years in how students engage with higher education and each other. More industries are raising their education requirement to graduate-level degrees or higher. This makes it a necessity for students to continue their education to the master’s or doctoral degree in order to be considered for jobs in their field. Data collection from the U.S. Department of Education’s Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System shows that, as of 2020, an estimated 22% of college students were from out-of-state, though it varies from institution to institution. Through conversations I have had with my students, I have found that the ability to secure on-campus housing when coming from out of state (or from another country in most cases) was a major factor in being able to attend the university.
Erin Pettibone: Unlike in the U.S., where there was a surge in on-campus family housing after the Second World War and then a subsequent decline, the demand for student family housing has remained relatively stable in Toronto, owing in part to its status as North America’s fourth largest city. In Toronto, student family housing was initially centrally managed by the Ontario Housing Corporation (OHC), a government agency created to manage social housing more broadly. Under the OHC, student family housing was open to those studying at any university in the area. In 2001, the University of Toronto (U of T) subsequently acquired several OHC properties after recognizing that the community was largely U of T students. While we did not experience the same decline in the U.S., there has been increased recognition of the importance of family housing both to students and within the university’s larger housing portfolio. For example, during COVID-19 shutdowns, University Family Housing continued to operate at full capacity, providing housing for our student families, more than half of whom are international students.
Steve Masse: In the early 2000s, the university invested significantly in graduate student housing, beginning with the acquisition of several properties for student families, as my colleague mentioned, as well as building a new purpose-built graduate student residence.
Since then, growth has not kept up with the increasing number of graduate and international students on our campus. Across the sector, rising construction costs, limited government support, and the assumption that graduate students could rely on the private rental market meant that few purpose-built spaces were created. In many cities like Toronto, however, housing shortages have pushed institutions to re-invest. At U of T, we’re embarking on an ambitious plan to add thousands of beds to our portfolio over the next decade, many of which will accommodate graduate students.
What are the current trends in providing or building graduate student and family housing? What are the most wanted amenities? What do individual graduate students request the most or ask about the most? What are the top needs that graduate students who have families ask about?
Scribner: These are definitely groups that need more housing, but there are many challenges. Rent structure, high rate sensitivity, unit size/type requirements, amenity needs (heaviest with family), and contract terms all come into play and are critical drivers in terms of the long-term feasibility of these types of projects. Many campuses also have high single undergrad student demand for housing; for those of us who are at institutions that focus heavily on undergrad education, this group has to be the priority with housing development.
The most wanted amenities are nearby parking or transportation, fitness/rec areas, convenience stores with coffee/grab and go (and later hours), robust internet, and utilities included for predictability with living costs. They are okay not being as centrally located to campus as undergrads are, but they still want to be proximate.
Single grads are most often concerned with privacy and price. Generally speaking, they’re less concerned with the size of a unit, level of furnishings, the building’s age, and community amenities such as lounges or study spaces and more focused on having their own space (be it by unit or bedroom) and for a low monthly rent. If they’re in a shared apartment, they prefer the fewest number of roommates possible and have little interest in living directly with (in the same unit/bedroom) as undergrads even if they’re fourth or fifth year. Though many say grads will double up in bedrooms to save money, we haven’t been very successful finding any who will actually accept that type of contract.
Graduate students with families are looking for community items that fit with family needs, similar to the private market: playgrounds, recreation areas (pools, basketball, bike paths), lounges for tweens/teens, grills, and a clubhouse or similar space where they can host events such as birthday parties, potlucks, and holiday celebrations. They also have preferences for amenities like community gardens, pet relief areas for emotional support animals, and proximity to campus or community early childhood education centers along with strong school districts. They also often look for resources and support for basic needs, social workers that a campus or community may have, parenting education, and legal and financial advisors.
Martinez: Graduate and family housing in 2025 is at an inflection point. For the first time in decades, colleges and universities are approaching campus housing not simply to provide a place to live, but also to create a foundation for research productivity, community belonging, and institutional competitiveness.
Graduate students consistently prioritize affordability, privacy, and quiet. They want functional spaces that help them work, think, and recharge. Reliable Wi-Fi, study nooks, good lighting, and responsive maintenance matter far more than luxury finishes. For graduate families, the priorities are even more specific. They look for two- and three-bedroom units near childcare and schools, affordable rents that align with stipends, and safe outdoor spaces where their children can play.
A clear pattern is emerging across campuses. The most valued features are practical, inclusive, and community oriented. Students seek studio and one-bedroom apartments for individual placements, high-speed internet throughout buildings, and secure outdoor play areas. They value proximity to childcare centers and schools, study lounges that double as gathering spaces, and fitness or wellness programs that help them manage stress. Access to convenient parking and public transit also rank high, along with pet-friendly policies that make the campus feel more like home.
In short, graduate and family housing today is being reimagined around a simple truth: Students do their best work when their living environment supports both their scholarship and their sense of belonging.
Aimino: One of the biggest amenities that our graduate students and families want is additional appliances such as dishwashers and laundry machines provided by the university. We have seen an increase in food insecurity within our graduate population, and one highly requested resource that I connect students to is our on-campus and community food banks.
Pettibone: As one of the largest student family housing operations in our region, we provide wraparound services and support for our student families. These include amenities such as a Drop-In Centre, which is run by three early childhood educators and provides a space for families with young children to engage in developmentally appropriate activities. We also have an on-site Free Store where families can donate gently used items that are offered to other families for free. The model for our Free Store has been widely recognized; U of T’s sustainability office recently created their own Free Store based on our model, which is accessible to the wider U of T community.
In addition to these two amenities, we have an onsite playground that was renovated in 2024 with the input of our community, a recreation room that residents can book for private events, an activity room where we offer free yoga and fitness classes seven days a week, a lounge with games and activities, and a study room for quiet work. The top need that our student families have communicated to us is for a mix of housing options at various price points. With that in mind, we offer a variety of unit types whose price point reflects the level of upgrades they receive during unit turnover.
Masse: We’re seeing a real shift in how institutions think about graduate student housing. It’s less about just providing a place to live and more about supporting the whole graduate experience. We know that graduate students tend to have very different needs than undergraduates do: They’re often older, may have partners or families with them, and are balancing research, teaching, and professional commitments. As a result, flexibility is key, whether that be in unit types, occupancy terms, or lease structures.
When we surveyed our own students last year as part of a housing demand study we undertook, some clear preferences emerged. Across all cohorts, must-have amenities include a 24/7 front desk, furnished units, and on-site laundry. Graduate students specifically placed higher importance on fitness facilities, parking, and pet-friendly options than did their undergraduate peers.
There’s also growing interest in thoughtfully designed and animated community spaces that allow for quiet study as well as opportunities for social connection. We know graduate life can be isolating, so housing that intentionally fosters belonging, while respecting privacy and independence, is something our students have told us they value.
What are the most popular programmatic needs and wants for this type of housing?
Scribner: Single grads are interested in academically focused opportunities (if a campus has a residential faculty, they often make good speakers and mentors for grad housing areas), food-focused social gatherings (you can never go wrong with something like a BBQ!), financial literacy, and assistance with finding work opportunities.
Graduate families tend to focus on things that are appropriate for kids of all ages, parenting resources, multi-generational households, juggling academic and family responsibilities, future employment planning, and acclimation to the state, region, and country (as they’re often from farther away). And both groups appreciate wellness spaces (physical and mental).
Martinez: The future of graduate and family housing is about more than buildings. It’s about creating systems that sustain people: their well-being, their families, and their academic goals. At UC Irvine, graduate and family housing serves more than 3,000 graduate students and 1,200 family members across 2,100 apartments. Our residents need more than affordable rent. They need community, flexibility, and access to resources that make demanding academic and family lives possible.
Successful programs begin with three essentials: well-being, belonging, and academic support. Residents want spaces and programs that help them manage stress, build connections, and thrive. This includes everything from fitness and wellness classes to mental health workshops, meditation sessions, and parenting support. Our wellness rooms, gardens, and family programs offer spaces for daily moments to pause, connect, and recharge. Well-being is also built into the design itself, through natural light, green spaces, meditation areas, and architecture that brings nature indoors. Belonging is equally critical. Residents come from every continent, with diverse family structures and cultural backgrounds. Programming that builds community across differences helps residents form meaningful networks.
Finally, graduate housing programs must align with academic life. Study lounges, co-working areas, and flexible spaces allow residents to focus on research and teaching while balancing family responsibilities. At its best, graduate and family housing becomes a living support system that integrates wellness, connection, and purpose into the daily experience of being a scholar and a parent.
Aimino: As can be imagined, graduate students and families have different wants and needs for programs than what you see in undergraduate housing. Our community assistants plan monthly programs revolving around community building, both within the university and the greater community. Highly requested programming includes classes in cooking, English as a second language, and parenting, as well as programs focused on cultural exchange and how to identify resources for non-student dependents.
There are four traditional programs that we plan each year for the greater graduate and family housing community. Our Halloween Spooktacular event in October includes a haunted house, yard games, and costume contests divided into different age groups. Night of Thanks occurs in November before break as a way to celebrate the previous year within the community. We have a high population of international students in graduate and family housing, and this event allows them to sample traditional Thanksgiving foods and reflect on the year they have had. Dance Around the World, usually held in February, brings in residents and student organizations to teach the community traditional dances from their culture. Spring Fling is our end-of-the-year celebration and features inflatables, food, the highly anticipated egg hunt, and our new addition of the dunk tank. (The residents, especially the children, enjoyed trying to beat each other’s record of how many times they dunked me.)
Pettibone: The most popular programming in our building is our early childhood education programming. Our Drop-In Centre averaged approximately 700 visits a month in 2024. We also ran approximately 60 programs for children, including after-school and weekend programs, and we hosted seven annual events and coordinated several trips to area attractions.
Masse: When it comes to programmatic needs, graduate students tend to value autonomy but also appreciate opportunities for meaningful connection. They’re not necessarily looking for the highly programmed community life we often see in our undergraduate residences. Instead, they want targeted, purposeful supports that make their academic and personal lives easier.
Popular programmatic offerings include orientation sessions tailored to graduate life, socials and networking events with peers across disciplines, and workshops focused on professional development, wellness, or work/life balance. Just as important are supports that help graduate students navigate the complexities of community living, including conflict resolution and mediation support. Overall, we’ve found the most success with programming that is light-touch, flexible, and responsive to resident feedback.
For campuses that have built this type of student housing, where did the funds come from? And how are campuses ensuring that they get the most out of their investment? For instance, if grad student occupancy is low, can they house other students there? Can it work as summer conference housing in these instances, too?
Scribner: At UC Riverside, we don’t have a specific grad housing building or complex, so our grad students are mixed into some of our apartment communities and live among undergrads (but not as roommates unless specifically requested). Our recently opened 1,564-bed housing community has 35 studio units built primarily for grads along with several four-bedroom/all single apartments that may also appeal to some. All the studios sold out quickly despite the rent being higher than for our other areas, so it’s clear we have demand but to what level or at what cost is still the question. We’ve seen less grad interest in our two-bedroom and four-bedroom/all single bedroom units, so the desire for private space seems to hold priority.
If these new studios didn’t sell to grads, we designed them so we could sell them as single occupancy to undergrads and also be able to convert them to a double-occupancy studio that would be a price friendly option for second- and third-year students. Though we are able to use our apartments for either grad or undergrad, the grad demand has increased over the past few years, so we have set aside enough space to be able to house at least 10% of the grad enrollment each year, which has been helpful for our grad programs. We have grad units in our campus-owned (debt-financed) and P3 properties.
Family housing occupies its own apartment complex and is open to both undergrad and grad students with families. We have a two-year waitlist, so this is obviously an area of our housing program that we continue to look at, though we are more likely to acquire something than construct something new, given how high building costs are in California.
Martinez: Long-term sustainability comes down to flexibility. This means designing apartments that can adapt as demand changes and incorporating green building practices to keep utility and maintenance costs low. Graduate housing needs to operate differently than undergraduate housing since students start and finish programs at varying times. Maintaining steady occupancy means planning for those in-between periods and finding creative ways to keep units full year-round. One way we have done this over the years is offering short-term housing for visiting scholars, postdocs, or other academic research programs.
Every housing project reflects a university’s values. When we invest in graduate and family housing, we are investing in people and in the research, innovation, and community that make higher education institutions thrive.
Aimino: Fortunately, low graduate student occupancy is not something we have had to manage. Quite the opposite actually. We currently have a waitlist of almost two years from the time of application to being offered an apartment. One building is dedicated to guest housing that can be used by visiting professors, interns, and guest lecturers sponsored by an academic department as a short-term housing while they engage with their work at the university. Occupancy can range from one day to nine months depending on the request. We have a public-private partnership with an apartment complex downtown that is specifically designed to house students, staff, and faculty of the university. Over the past few years, we have seen a decline in leasing numbers for this complex, much like other comparable complexes in the city. So many apartment complexes have been constructed in the city over a short period of time that the supply is well past the demand. Complexes that were originally designated for graduate students are becoming available earlier for undergraduate students.
Pettibone: The housing stock that constitutes University Family Housing has been largely acquired by U of T via strategic investments in areas abutting campus. In the 1960s and 1970s, the university purchased a stock of century homes in the Huron-Sussex neighborhood near our main library. These are now home to many faculty and student families. In 2001, the university purchased the two high-rise buildings in our Charles Street community from the Ontario Housing Corporation. More recently, our real estate partnerships team at the Spaces & Experiences Office (formerly Ancillary Services) has added new housing stock to our portfolio via a development partnership with Daniel’s Corporation. Oak House, the first student residence constructed on campus in a decade, includes 508 undergraduate student rooms and 10 town houses, seven of which house faculty and student families.
University Family Housing offers housing to full-time U of T students who are living full-time with their spouse and/or one to two children. While most of our residents are graduate students (96% in 2024), we also welcome undergraduate students who meet our eligibility requirements.
Masse: Funding models for student housing are varied, but we’re seeing a few common approaches. Many campuses, including ours, are turning to public-private partnerships or mixed-financing models that combine institutional funds, debt financing, and private investment. This allows institutions to expand housing supply without fully shouldering the capital cost or long-term operational risk.
Once the housing is built, the focus shifts to operational flexibility and maximizing year-round use. Given the economics of new construction, these communities need to be designed with adaptable occupancy models. For example, if graduate student demand is lower in a particular term, can it work well for other types of students? Planning for this kind of versatility from the outset reduces risk and helps ensure long-term value.
A good example of this is our newest residence, Oak House, which opened this fall. It’s a public-private partnership featuring a mix of residence hall rooms and shared apartments that accommodate both undergraduate and graduate students. That blend gives us the flexibility to adjust to changing demand across student groups. We’ve also planned for a robust summer business program, which will help us maximize use of the space year-round and generate additional revenue from those attending conferences or needing short-term housing.
Camille Perlman is the managing editor of Talking Stick for ACUHO-I.
