Money For Student Housing Available

The University of Northern BC is taking a long look at housing in the wake of the provincial budget last month. In it, the government set out $450 million for on-campus student housing. The Lion’s Share, $259 million, will be offered as a loan to post-secondary institutions, while the remainder will be spent at the discretion of the province.

“What we’re in the midst of doing is talking to students to actually find out what they’re interest is in terms of their residence space,” says Dr. Dan Ryan, UNBC’s Vice President of Academics. “I get the feeling that, initially, it be a mix of on-campus and off-campus. So there may be opportunities to access some of that funding.”

He expects that will be done over the summer, with a clearer picture this fall. Meanwhile, the President of the College of New Caledonia says he would like to see a clearer picture of the current student housing stock off-campus. Nonetheless, it’s good news.

“Well I  think that’s a significant move for this current government, that recognizes the acute shortage of student housing throughout the entire province,” says Henry Reiser. “It’s not just the Lower Mainland, but it’s also our communities and a lot of rural and remote communities are faced with the same challenge.”