By Chad Klassen

TRU announces purchase and addition to Upper College Heights for student housing

Jun 22, 2018 | 10:25 AM

KAMLOOPS —The student housing crisis in Kamloops received a boost on Friday, as the provincial government announced it’s providing Thompson Rivers University with a $25.5 million loan to help purchase Upper College Heights and provide more housing for students going to TRU. 

“That does so much for students,” says TRU Student Union President Tatiana Gilbert. “The number one priority for students is to be able to live in a place that is safe, that is accessible to campus. The Upper College Heights is very close to TRU. They’re not going to have to have a huge commute.”

Gilbert notes the purchase of Upper College Heights, which will be renovated to add another 142 student units is much-needed in a tight rental market. 

“When we say housing crisis, it really is a housing crisis,” she says. “The amount of horror stories I’ve heard from students where there are six people living in a two-bedroom apartment or there are people living in motel rooms because they cannot find a place to stay.” 

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The province’s loan helps TRU complete the $33.5 million purchase of the complex. Another $3.5 million will go into the renovations. 

“It has been a long time since we’ve been able to add more student rooms to our inventory and make an improvement in students’ educational experience,” says TRU President Alan Shaver. 

The announcement is part of the NDP’s 30-point housing plan and Premier John Horgan says it should take pressure off in the Kamloops rental market. 

“For many years, institutions like TRU have been struggling to meet the demands for student housing,” notes Horgan. “That shortage has led to an increase in the vacancy rate in Kamloops because students are moving into homes that could’ve been better used perhaps for those seeking permanent housing.”

The six-building rental complex has 391 student homes and none of the current residents will be impacted by the purchase nor the renovations.

“Those that are already living here will not be evicted,” Horgan clarified. “It’s about building community, not tearing down community, and ultimately at the end of the day this is about making life better for students. The city of Kamloops wants that, the students want that, the families of the students want that, and I think this is a day to celebrate.”

The renovations are expected to be finished by September 2019. The university says there are also plans for future development with an additional 3.4 hectares on the property.