USU Helping Students Find Housing for Fall

Students planning to live in Logan for the upcoming fall semester are finding that local housing options have changed over the past few years. USU is working on ways to help them navigate a housing market where rooms suddenly seem to be in short supply.

Katie Jo North, executive director of new student enrollment at USU, said multiple factors have combined to create a smaller pool of rental options in the Logan area.

“First, more students want to be back on campus in person,” she said. “And the housing market has changed dramatically, where many of the units around town sold during COVID and have changed from student housing to single-family dwellings.”

Also, she added, many students now want their own rooms, where double occupancy has been historically more popular.

“We are aware that housing is a challenge, so we’re working to connect students with options both on and off campus,” North said.

As part of these efforts, USU has added an off-campus section to its housing website that includes renter education information and local rental contacts with current availability.

The new website is intended to simplify the search for off-campus options by compiling current available rooms from local apartment complexes and landlords. This list is updated weekly and includes contact information and room type (private or shared).

While the university is gathering and providing this information, students are responsible for inspecting the properties and making sure they understand all rental terms before they sign any contract or lease.

To help students navigate this process, the site also provides information about being a renter, including how to work with landlords and understand contracts, utility bills and parking regulations.

Owners of local rentals are invited to add their available units by filling out a submission form at usu.edu/housing/off-campus/submit.

On campus, USU is opening the new Canyon Crest Suites residence hall in fall 2022, creating space for 400 more residential students. However, there is still a high demand for university housing.

“We are excited that on-campus housing is so desirable to students,” said John Bostock, executive director of housing. “We have filled to capacity the last several years.”

USU has a notification list process in place to let waiting students know if a bedspace becomes available.

The university also has a grant program to assist new incoming students with housing and dining costs at all three of its residential campuses. These grants can be used for both on- or off-campus expenses.

As USU continues to explore ways to increase housing for fall, North encourages students to use the newly launched listings page. If students are still having trouble finding housing, they can contact USU Admissions at admit@usu.edu.

“We want you here, and we don’t want housing to be a barrier,” North said.

The office will collect students’ information and contact them when new options become available.