Demand for student housing rising in the Okanagan

The University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO) has close to 12,000 students, but they only have 2,100 beds available on campus.

The rising cost of living is making the demand for student housing skyrocket in the Okanagan.

Although the addition of new beds is on the way, schools are looking for solutions sooner rather than later.

In recent years, the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO) has seen its enrolment numbers steadily rise. Now, the post-secondary institution has close to 12,000 students, but they only have 2,100 beds available on campus.

“Student housing at UBC Okanagan has been a challenge for the last couple of years,” said Stefanie Allen, student engagement and learning director at UBCO.

“We suspect there’s a number of reasons for this. Currently, Kelowna has the lowest vacancy rate in any metropolitan city in Canada, it’s sitting at 0.6 per cent.”

In order to create more student housing, UBCO’s new downtown campus, which was approved in July, will add close to 500 beds. However, the completion date is still years away.

To keep up with the demand the university provides resources to those who have to look off campus.

“We hear it all the time that affordability is a huge thing so we often try to coach students on where to look for housing that may be student appropriate. We also try and keep those funding bursaries available for students as they look for their housing,” Allen said.