The student housing sector continues to be strong and shows little sign of faltering. But that doesnt mean there wont be changed.
Here are six predictions for what the future holds from off-campus housing service provider Places4Students.
1. The amenity wars will end. In fact, fewer amenity options are likely as student housing providers determine which ones arent worth the costs.
2. Location will remain critical. The No. 1 amenity for students is proximity to campus. Look for student housing density near campuses to increase.
3. The middle market will grow. The luxury market has increased over the past few years, but the middle market has strong profit margins and is primed to take off.
4. Public-private partnerships will continue for on-campus housing. To defray capital costs, expect more colleges and universities to enter into public-private partnerships to build new campus housing.
5. Single-family student housing will decline. For the past few years, students have preferred living in apartment communities rather than single-family rentals. This trend is likely to continue with increased student housing supply.
6. Micro-unit housing will increase. The micro-apartment trend has already hit many high-rent cities. Similarly, micro-units offer students a more affordable housing option.