The University housing shortage has displaced hundreds of students over the past two years, causing students to live in off-campus apartments during their first year while relocating others to temporary housing.
The University also offered incentives to those willing to cancel their housing contracts. Still, there simply aren’t enough apartment complexes for those who can afford them.
Students begin the housing search almost a year in advance, and the closer it gets to the upcoming fall semester, the likelihood of finding an available apartment becomes slimmer.
Though ongoing, the housing crisis is being directly combatted with policy changes, like having a “limited number of new and continuing upper-class students in dorms.” Another noticeable solution is the increase in campus apartment complexes.
New buildings, like Smile Student Living’s 608 E. Chalmers and 405 E. Stoughton streets locations, have popped up just within the past year. Other buildings like Hub Champaign Daniel aren’t as new but remain more recent University apartment options.
But just because there are new buildings doesn’t mean they are affordable. According to The Washington Post, the average rent in Champaign County rose by 12.3% between 2019 and 2023, and that increase affects students.
Despite increasing rent, Barbara Cachu, junior in ACES, believes that newer apartments can be a surprisingly reasonable option for those searching for a place to live.
“I’ve been noticing that a lot of apartment complexes have been reasonable with their prices,” Cachu said. “They know that college students can’t pay that much … so they do try to be a little bit reasonable by including some of the utilities in the lease and stuff.”
Cachu lives in a renovated apartment at The Alcove, and because the complex is being renovated, the rent is only $590 a month.
“Everything is new but at such a good a– price,” Cachu said.
To Cachu, the influx of apartments is helping to combat the University housing crisis; more apartments mean more places to live. But for Phoebe Mihevc, junior in Engineering, it’s not that easy.
“I think, obviously, having more places for people to live is doing something,” Mihevc said. “But at the same rate, I don’t think it’s doing nearly enough. I don’t really think it’s the best solution, especially depending on how expensive the new apartments are.”
When searching for an apartment, two factors rose above the rest for Mihevc: location and price.
According to Mihevc, most apartments she looked at were out of her price range, and looking for something brand new simply wasn’t an option.
“If I see something that’s super, super nice, obviously I know it’s going to be way too expensive,” Mihevc said. “I’m not even going to bother. So, brand new, no … I can’t pay for that.”
While some students aren’t willing to pay an increased price for housing, Harrison Guo, junior in AHS, thinks that the benefits of living in a newer apartment can outweigh the cost.
“Apartments in the Champaign-Urbana area are just expensive in general,” Guo said. “I think that the amenities for these newer apartments … and just how nice they are comparatively to the other apartments on campus … I do think it’s worth it.”
Guo lives in the Hub, paying $1,275 a month. The Hub’s amenities — a gym, sauna, pool and study spots — are all things that make the price justifiable to Guo.
With various layouts and prices ranging from $1,024 to $2,369, the Hub markets itself as one of the most luxurious living options on campus.
Despite the looks of newer apartments, Guo believes that they are accessible not only to wealthier students but also to the student body.
“Because of how nice these apartments are from the outside, it does seem like they are targeting a wealthier audience,” Guo said. “But I know me and a lot of other students personally have FAFSA money or financial aid that helps pay for a portion of these apartments.”
While an increase in apartments can play a role in helping to relieve the housing crisis, Mihevc believes there is a simpler solution to the problem.
“Tighten the acceptance rate,” Mihevc said. “I think that’s the best solution.”