THE largest provincial investment in on-campus student housing will lead to more than 1,500 new post-secondary beds on the University of British Columbia’s Vancouver campus, the Province announced on Tuesday.
“We know people want to find homes near where they live, work and study in British Columbia,” said Premier David Eby. “Our government is building on-campus housing at an unprecedented pace – including our biggest project to date right here at UBC – helping more students find a safe, secure and affordable place to call home and relieving pressure on the rental market. This is just one way our government is tackling the housing crisis so everyone can find a good home at every stage of life.”
The $560-million student housing project includes 1,508 student beds and is the Province’s largest capital investment and the largest number of student beds. This puts B.C. on track to meet or exceed the provincial target of building 12,000 beds by 2028. To date, 5,260 of these are complete and are now home to students. Projects like this help students find a place to live they can afford and help ease the pressure on stretched rental housing markets in areas like UBC and communities throughout the province.
“Student housing is an important part of our work to tackle the housing crisis and deliver more homes for people, faster,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing. “With more affordable housing on campus, students can travel less, save more, and have more opportunity to focus on their studies. Increasing the supply of student housing also takes significant pressure off the local rental market. This project is a win-win for students and for the community.”
The complex will be built in the Lower Mall Precinct at UBC. It includes:
* five buildings, ranging from eight to 18 storeys, with 1,508 new student housing beds (1,333 new and 175 replacement);
* a 400-seat dining hall;
* 37 new child care spaces;
* common amenity space; and
* academic and administrative office space to accommodate the displaced St. John’s College.
The new buildings will focus on providing homes to graduate students. Child care on campus will make it easier for students, faculty and staff with children to streamline their daily routines through one nearby drop-off and pickup location.
The total project cost is approximately $560 million, with the provincial government providing $300 million and UBC providing the remaining $260 million. Construction is set to begin in fall 2026. The project is expected to be open for students in phases, starting in fall 2028 and completing in fall 2029. Design and construction of the complex will target LEED Gold. One of the five buildings will be built using mass timber.
“We are grateful to the B.C. government for this historic $300-million investment in the UBC Vancouver campus,” said Benoit-Antoine Bacon, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of British Columbia. “This support, along with UBC’s contribution of $259.9 million, will be transformative in providing much-needed additional student housing and child care for our community. By working together, we are alleviating significant pressures on our students and the local rental market, and further enhancing an environment where academic excellence and personal well-being can flourish.”
The UBC said in a press release that the residence units will be self-contained suite-style units, primarily consisting of independent studios, four-bedroom shared units and a mix of two-to-three-bedroom units, which may support students with families or multiple single students, depending on demand. There will also be about 400 additional units without kitchens. There will be an event space, fitness and games rooms, music practice rooms, laundry facilities, study rooms and administrative offices.
UBC is the largest university provider of student housing in Canada with 16,003 beds on its two campuses (13,883 in Vancouver and 2,120 at UBC Okanagan). The university has invested $700 million to build more than 6,000 new below-market-rate student residence beds over the past 14 years on the Vancouver and Okanagan campuses.
“Despite that growth, demand continues to outpace supply, and this project is important for our students,” said Andrew Parr, associate vice-president, student housing and community services.
“The funding announced from the province, coupled with UBC’s investment, is a critical step forward in advancing UBC’s Campus Vision Plan 2050 and Housing Action Plan, in which we commit to delivering 3,300 new beds on the Vancouver campus and 500 new beds on the Okanagan campus by the mid 2030s.”
