Tanara Oliveira/News Staff
The University of Victoria just opened a new student housing building that will house hundreds of more students on campus.
“When young people move away from home for school, they need to be able to find safe, secure and affordable housing,” said Premier David Eby. “But spots in residence can fill up quickly, forcing some students to search for somewhere to live off campus during a housing crisis. That’s why our government is building new student housing throughout the province, including at UVic. These new homes are helping students enjoy campus life, easily access student services and focus on their studies, while also easing demand on Victoria’s rental market.”
The newly opened residence, launched in September 2023, arrived a year ahead of schedule. It offers 385 single-room dormitory-style beds, primarily intended for first-year students, along with an Indigenous student lounge.
Selina Robinson, minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, remarked on the government’s commitment to expanding student housing options, stating, “We’re helping students in British Columbia and reducing rental housing pressures by building thousands of new student beds throughout British Columbia. This government is acting to build more homes for students. Our commitment is strengthened by our increased investment of $575 million over three years and $1.1 billion over 10 years.”
UVic guarantees first-year on-campus housing to assist new students in adapting to campus life by residing in the university’s housing facilities. The addition of these new student residences means UVic has been able to accommodate all first-year students and more than 1,000 upper-year undergraduate and graduate students for the current academic year - the most ever.
The B.C. government provided $127.7 million to the university in support of the $235.9-million project.
These buildings have been designed and constructed to meet Passive House and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) V4 Gold certifications, two of the most rigorous global building standards for sustainability and energy efficiency. This approach translates into reduced energy consumption, operating costs, maintenance costs, and lower carbon emissions - all pivotal for a sustainable future.
This project forms a part of the Homes for People plan, which involves creating 12,000 student beds on campuses across the province to alleviate pressure on local rental markets. To date, 7,766 student beds are already completed or in progress, surpassing the target by five years. Budget 2023 includes $575 million for on-campus student housing over three years.
