Finding a place to live while attending university in Victoria isn’t easy but the University of Victoria (UVic) is preparing to add more on-campus housing to help with the shortage.
In a media release Friday, the BC governement confirmed it has approved funding for a new residence project at UVic.
This project will create over 500 student beds on campus. The new housing is aimed at upper-year undergraduates and graduate students, who often have a hard time finding affordable housing near the university.
“This is a big step for students and for the community,” said Bowinn Ma, BC’s Minister of Infrastructure. “More than 500 students will be able to live on campus, which not only helps them but also takes some pressure off Victoria’s already tight rental market.”
The project will see a highrise tower go up with 360 beds across 90 apartment-style units for undergraduates. Next to that, a seven-storey wing will house 150 studio apartments geared toward graduate students.
The new residences will feature shared amenities to make campus life more connected, including:
- a community kitchen and lounge space
- multi-purpose and outdoor areas for socializing and study
- secure athletic storage for bikes and sports gear
The building is planned as a fully electric, zero-carbon residence aiming for LEED Gold certification.
“The new student residence will be transformative for our upper-year undergraduate and graduate students, many of whom face challenges finding affordable housing near campus,” said Qwul’sih’yah’maht, Robina Thomas, UVic’s acting president.
The estimated cost of the project is $178 million. The Province will provide $121 million, while UVic will cover the remaining $57 million.
Since 2018, the province has pledged $2 billion for student housing across BC. Close to 6,900 new student beds have already been constructed, and another 4,800 are currently being developed.
Local MLAs state that the project involves more than just new housing. By increasing on-campus living, it lowers the demand for rentals in the area, builds stronger student communities, and makes life at UVic more affordable.
For students eyeing UVic in the years ahead, this expansion means a better chance of securing a safe, affordable place to live right where they study.
Construction of the new housing is scheduled to begin in spring 2026.
