Student Housing in Austin
Student Housing in Austin
In 2023, Austin City Council directed staff to examine the need and availability of affordable housing for post-secondary students. In collaboration with higher education institutions and their students, the City of Austin Housing Department explored strategies to strengthen the housing capacity of campuses and increase students’ awareness of affordable housing options. On this page you will find details about stakeholder engagement, data analysis and case study analysis that were conducted as well as the recommendations for action provided back to Council.
Background
Students play a vital role in Austin's community, economy, and character yet often struggle to find affordable and accessible housing. Tuition costs, limited income, and the need for proximity to campus can make traditional housing options financially inaccessible. View resolution 20230223-043
Purpose
By ensuring affordable and accessible housing for students, the city fosters a diverse, and vibrant community that benefits all of Austin. The Student Housing Study helped to create a better understanding of:
- The specific challenges that students face in finding housing
- The partnerships and strategies needed to encourage the creation of student housing near campuses
- Policies that could support these partnerships and strategies
Project Milestones
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the resolution does not specifically call for changes to existing affordable housing programs. Instead, its primary focus is to formulate policy recommendations and explore opportunities for partnerships that address the unique housing challenges faced by students in Austin.
No, the resolution does not call for any changes to UNO. Its main goal is to provide policy recommendations and explore collaboration opportunities to address student housing needs in Austin.