Student Housing Unaffordability Near the University of Arizona: Existing Conditions and Future Strategies

Abstract

Student housing affordability has become an increasingly pressing issue in university cities across the United States. This study focuses on student housing near the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona, with attention to the neighborhoods surrounding campus. The research examines whether affordable student housing options exist near the university and what factors contribute to the lack of affordable development. Using a mixed-methods approach, this study combines student survey responses, student and faculty interviews, local market data, and case study analysis. The findings suggest that affordable housing near campus is limited, especially in the neighborhoods closest to the university, where rent costs and rent growth are the highest in Tucson. Rather than proposing a single solution, the research explores several strategies that could improve affordability in future projects. These strategies include modular construction, passive design, and renewable energy systems to reduce costs, paired with policy changes. Overall, the research suggests that addressing student housing affordability near the University of Arizona would require a holistic design and policy approach.