British Columbia (B.C.) is making significant investments in student housing as part of the “Homes for People” initiative, committing over $2 billion to build 12,000 on-campus student housing beds. So far, 9,095 new beds are either completed or underway, providing more affordable housing options for post-secondary students and easing the pressure on local rental markets.
Provincial Investments in Student Housing
Interior Region
Newly Opened Student Housing:
Thompson Rivers University (Kamloops): 533 beds with a total project cost of $38 million, including $25.5 million in provincial funding, completed in September 2019.
University of British Columbia Okanagan (Kelowna): 220 beds with a total project cost of $25 million, including $18.7 million in provincial funding, completed in September 2020.
College of the Rockies (Cranbrook): 100 beds with a total project cost of $19 million, including $12.9 million in provincial funding, completed in December 2020.
Thompson Rivers University (Kamloops): 148 beds with a total project cost of $19.5 million, including $10.9 million in provincial funding, completed in November 2023.
Student Housing Underway:
Okanagan College Campuses: Vernon (100 beds), Salmon Arm (60 beds), and Kelowna (216 beds). Total project cost is $75.1 million, with $73.5 million in provincial funding.
Selkirk College (Castlegar and Nelson): 114 beds in Castlegar and 36 beds in Nelson. Total project cost is $37.7 million, with $35.6 million in provincial funding.
Nicola Valley Institute of Technology: 30 beds with a total project cost of $19.6 million, fully funded by the province.
Okanagan College Penticton Campus: 101 beds with a total project cost of $24 million, including $23.5 million in provincial funding.
Lower Mainland
Newly Opened Student Housing:
Simon Fraser University (Burnaby): 383 beds with a total project cost of $115.6 million, including $73 million in provincial funding, completed in May 2023.
Student Housing Underway:
University of the Fraser Valley (Abbotsford): 398 beds with a total project cost of $105 million, including $87.6 million in provincial funding.
Capilano University (North Vancouver): 362 beds with a total project cost of $58.2 million, including $41.5 million in provincial funding.
British Columbia Institute of Technology (Burnaby): 470 beds with a total project cost of $141.7 million, including $129.9 million in provincial funding.
Douglas College (New Westminster): 368 beds and an academic space. Total project cost is $332.5 million, with $232.3 million in government contributions, including $74 million in provincial funding for the academic part and $158.3 million for student housing from the BC Student Housing Program.
Capilano University (Squamish): 333 beds with a total project cost of $55 million, including $48 million in provincial funding.
Simon Fraser University (Burnaby): 445 beds with a total project cost of $187.6 million, including $132.2 million in provincial funding.
Northern B.C.
Newly Opened Student Housing:
Coast Mountain College (Terrace): 108 beds with a total project cost of $21.6 million, including $20.6 million in provincial funding, opened in October 2021.
College of New Caledonia (Prince George): 12 beds with a total project cost of $5.3 million, fully funded by the province, opened in September 2021.
Vancouver Island
Newly Opened Student Housing:
University of Victoria: First 398-bed building with dining facilities opened in September 2022, and the second 385-bed building opened in September 2023, totaling 783 new beds (621 net new and 162 replacement beds). Total project cost is $242.5 million, including $127.7 million in provincial funding.
Student Housing Underway:
North Island College: 217 beds with a total project cost of $77.9 million, including $75.9 million in provincial funding.
Vancouver Island University: 266 new student housing beds with a total project cost of $87.8 million, including $87 million in provincial funding.
Camosun College (Lansdowne): 423 beds with a total project cost of $154.7 million, including $151.7 million in provincial funding. This will be Camosun College’s first on-campus student housing, expected to be completed by fall 2027.
Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, Lisa Beare, emphasized that these investments in student housing are crucial for supporting students’ academic journeys. Murray Rankin, MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head, added that secure, stable, and affordable housing is essential for student success and also helps alleviate pressure on the local rental market.
The extensive investments in student housing across British Columbia highlight the province’s commitment to supporting post-secondary education. However, finding and securing student housing can be challenging. If you are a student or planning to study in B.C., our immigration consulting services can assist you in navigating these challenges. We offer expert advice, preparation, and representation to ensure your immigration and housing applications are successful.
