STUDENTS at Capilano University’s (CapU) new Squamish campus will have access to affordable on-campus student housing for the campus’s first student intake in fall 2024.
“Secure, stable and affordable housing is essential for students to be successful with their studies, while also reducing demand on the local rental housing market,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, on Wednesday. “Capilano University students in the Sea to Sky corridor will now have the option to live steps away from their classes, making it easier to focus on their studies and get the skills they need to thrive in B.C.”
Capilano University has purchased three existing residence buildings at the Squamish campus, creating 333 new student beds. Capilano University acquired the former Quest University campus for $64 million with an investment of $48 million from the Province in August 2023. The subsequent acquisition of the student housing buildings received $48 million in provincial funding, with CapU providing an additional $7 million. This is the first publicly funded student housing in the Sea to Sky corridor and will be ready for student occupancy for the fall 2024 semester.
“Capilano University is grateful for the Government of B.C.’s generous support in enabling us to guarantee on-campus housing to any student who enrols in CapU Squamish for the fall 2024 term,” said Paul Dangerfield, President of Capilano University. “The purchase of three student housing buildings helps ease the pressure on housing in the region and means more students from the Sea to Sky corridor and beyond will have the option to live on campus in one of the most stunning locations and be part of an exceptional, life-enhancing learning experience.”
The three residences are on campus, with each building featuring 89 beds in single rooms paired with a shared washroom, six double-occupancy units with washrooms and five accessible single units with private washrooms. Additionally, each building also includes one two-bedroom and one three-bedroom apartment, which contain a kitchen and washroom, intended for resident assistants. The student housing facilities are designed to provide inclusive, accessible and safe accommodations.
Expanding access to student housing is part the Homes for People action plan, which commits more than $2 billion toward developing 12,000 student beds on campuses in the province. This 333-bed investment brings B.C. up to 8,099 student beds, which are complete or underway. This investment in student housing will help students access post-secondary education and will further ease pressure on the local rental markets.
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To know more about the student housing, visit:Â https://www.capilanou.ca/
