In an attempt to address the demand for affordable student housing, the University of British Columbia (UBC) is proposing to construct a new student residence complex that will include 43 micro-apartments.
The proposed micro-apartments will each be about 145 sq. ft, “about the size of a parking space,” according to UBC housing director Andrew Parr.
The tiny apartment scheme, referred to as micro-housing, aims to provide students with affordable housing close to campus, Parr said.
Parr mentioned that similar concepts already exist in Europe and high density areas in Asia.
Each room is set to include a bed, bathroom, kitchen area, and desk.
UBC currently offers 120 sq. ft. dorm-styled rooms which lack a bathroom and kitchen area.
The university began considering the idea six months ago, about the same time as a housing fee increase for students, according to Parr.
The micro-housing units are projected to be around $680 per month, Parr said. Other units on residence cost around $1,000 to $1,200 a month.
Currently, the university has about 9,600 beds on residence but 6,000 students on the waiting list.
The apartment complex that is set to include the 43 micro-units is named Gage South Student Residence. It is part of a plan to add five residence buildings that can house up to 3,000 more people.
“The Vancouver rental market is difficult,” Parr said. “There are more people that want to rent than places available.”
Trouble finding affordable housing isn’t only confined to around UBC, Parr said. He said Vancouver’s expensive rental market has led some students to commute as far as two hours away from campus.
“Surveys have shown that students who live on campus have better social and academic experiences,” Parr said.
Parr explained that the type of students who may be interested in living in micro-units are ones who spend time out of the apartment at places like coffee shops. Parr said he believes it can boost the sense of community at UBC.
Arpita Dar, vice-president (programming) of the Rideau River Residence Association (RRRA) at Carleton, said she thinks “housing should be more comfortable,” as many first-year students have difficulties transitioning from high school to university, and students in general often need a comfortable place in stressful times.
“Such a cramped space doesn’t seem feasible,” Dar said.
Dar also said while micro-apartments encourage students to spend time outside of the dorm, it can “take away from the community aspect since you can’t have other friends over.”
Laura Storey, director of housing at Carleton, said the university would be interested in exploring the idea if it was successful at UBC.
Although the vacancy rate in Ottawa is low, students don’t have the same challenges finding housing as students in Vancouver do, she said.
“There are lots of options for students in Ottawa on or off campus,” Storey said.
Parr said UBC will ask students for their input on micro-units. A life size mock-up of a micro unit will be installed in a high traffic area to allow students to enter and get a feel for the apartment.
If approved, the new residence is scheduled to open in 2019.
