Mission

The Student Housing Council (STHC) offers a forum for leaders in the student housing sector to shape and champion positive and responsible visibility for the student housing component of the commercial real estate industry. The Council focuses on student living both on- and off-campus, in addition to related mixed use components. Council members include private owners and developers of student housing and university officials with a focus or special interest in housing. The Council also includes a sampling of private equity investors, brokers, lenders, architects and student housing consultants.

On- and off-campus student housing is more active than ever before. Public and private real estate developments are helping universities to address housing and student living challenges in an environment where tuition costs, demographics and parent and student preference are constantly changing and evolving. This asset class has become a major component of commercial real estate, but there are intricacies and nuances associated with the ownership and operation of these properties that significantly affect the local real estate markets in which they are located.

This Council will delve into, among other topics, development, the relationships between developers/owners and universities, the needs of the students, the annual turnover of rented beds, best practices for marketing and leasing, what to look for in a buy or sell situation, local and macro market performance and many other topics of special interest to participants in this specific niche space.

Student housing is more operationally intensive than traditional multifamily.  It has its own unique risks and presents unique opportunities. Much about the sector is misinterpreted and/or misunderstood;  there’s a need to better understand the nature and potential of this development sector. What are the best techniques and transaction structures today? What can we learn from our own mistakes to create a more balanced and stable marketplace?  How do they differ based upon market, stakeholders and university?  What does the future role for the sector?

This Council provides a unique opportunity to bring key leaders in the space together, in a focused and intimate setting, to address the special concerns of this sector and to learn from each other; it is also an opportunity to leverage ULI’s resources for the student housing industry when they can be helpful. The programs sponsored by this group will showcase best practices in the development of various college and university-related projects and foster discussion on existing assets, funding, re-investment, development, construction and results achieved.

Get Involved Recent Agendas

To view a list of members please click on the member directory link at the top of this page and perform an advanced search by product council.

Interest Areas

• On and off campus student living
• Student housing related mixed use components
• Public and private real estate developments
• Funding, re-investment, development and construction
• Private/public partnership models, finance and capital structure