Western University to build more student housing amidst city-wide housing crunch

Western University is planning to build two residences on-campus to accommodate thousands of potential new students expected to enroll within the next seven years. 

London is facing a housing crisis impacting residents and students alike, with few units available at affordable prices.

At an event on Tuesday aimed at showcasing what the university has to offer the community, president Alan Shepard said new buildings will help alleviate "housing stress" in the city. 

"We're working on those plans right now," Shepard said. "We are just getting ready to set contracts for architects to design them, so we're moving along."

The location has yet to be identified, he said, with construction for a new residence building typically taking two years.

Western University aims to expand enrolment to 50,000 students by 2030, according to its strategic plan launched in 2021, including students enrolled online, through continuing studies and those attending its Toronto campus. Currently, enrolment on their main campus is approximately 35,000 students.

"It will be important to Western and important to London that we continue to grow because if you're not growing, you're shrinking, and that's not where anybody wants to be," Shepard said. 

Western operates the second largest network of residences in Canada for students, Shepard said in his keynote address.

Of the two new residence buildings — one will be for first-year students and the second an apartment building for upper-year and graduate students, said Chris Alleyne, Western University's associate vice president of housing and ancillary services.  

While the site and design will determine how many people the buildings can accommodate, the university is currently aiming for 600 first-year beds and 300 graduate and upper-year beds, he said.

"It's really important for Western to ensure that our students have access to housing that is comfortable and conveniently located on campus and also prioritizes their safety, and that's why we are moving forward with two new projects," Alleyne said. 

London mayor Josh Morgan said he's pleased to see Western's plans for more residences as the population grows. 

"Housing and housing affordability continues to be a significant issue on the Council's agenda, and as we talk about the expansion of students coming into our city, obviously housing has to be part of that conversation," he said on Tuesday.

"The more residences we can create the better," Morgan said. 

London's commitment to build 47,000 new homes across the city by 2031 will including housing for students and residences, he said. 

Residential developments along transit corridors will also bring "more options for students," Morgan said. 

"That certainly is part of the equation when you talk about post-secondary institutions that are expanding in our city, having spaces for those students to live is critical to the future as well," Morgan said.