“I Wish I’d Asked Sooner”: What Families Need to Know About the College Housing Crisis Before Applying

College Housing - a college dorm room

I still remember the phone call. It was late August—move-in week—and I was standing in a Target aisle holding twin XL sheets when my phone buzzed. My niece, a brand-new freshman, was on the other end, panicked.

“They don’t have a room for me,” she said.

At first, I thought she meant her roommates hadn’t shown up. But no—the college literally didn’t have a room for her. She’d been assigned to “temporary housing,” which turned out to be a converted lounge with 12 other students. No privacy. No closet. No air conditioning. And no timeline for when she might get a real room.

And here’s the thing: her experience is far from unusual.

The College Housing Crisis Isn’t a Rumor—It’s Real

Many colleges—large publics, midsized state schools, and even some well-resourced private universities—are facing major housing shortages. Rising enrollment, limited construction, and budget constraints mean some schools simply can’t house all the students they admit.

The result?

• Students assigned to lounges, study rooms, and converted offices

• Students placed in hotels 10–45 minutes away from campus

• Long waitlists for housing

• First-year students forced into off-campus leases they’re unprepared for

• Rent spikes and unsafe living conditions near campus

The worst part is that families often don’t find out about the issue until after deposits are in—or even worse, right before move-in.

What I Learned (The Hard Way)

Back to my niece. After two chaotic weeks, she finally got a “real room,” but it was in a triple, with bunk beds and barely any floor space. She made it work, but the stress overshadowed what should’ve been an exciting start.

If we’d known to ask the right questions before she applied, we might have made different choices—or been better prepared for what was coming.

This is why I now tell every family: housing should be a non-negotiable part of your college research.

Questions to Ask Before Adding a College to the List

Most schools won’t volunteer this information, so you have to ask:

1. “Does the school guarantee housing for freshmen? For sophomores?”

Some colleges only guarantee housing for first-year students. Others guarantee nothing at all.

2. “What percentage of freshmen actually live in on-campus housing?”

If 90% of freshmen live on campus, great. If only 65% do, ask why.

3. “Has the college used ‘temporary housing’ in the last 5 years?”

Schools may sugarcoat this by calling it:

• transitional housing

• overflow housing

• supplemental housing.

Don’t be fooled—this usually means lounges, hotels, or makeshift rooms.

4. “How long is the housing waitlist?”

At some colleges, students are accepted academically but waitlisted for housing until July or August.

5. “Is the surrounding area safe and affordable for students forced off campus?”

Some towns have extremely limited rentals—or high crime in student-heavy neighborhoods.

6. “Are students required or expected to sign leases a year in advance?”

This is common at big state flagships and can catch families off guard.

Red Flags to Watch For

• Rapidly increasing enrollment

• Recent dorm closures or dorms under construction

• Local news stories about housing shortages

• Large Facebook groups titled “[College Name] Housing 2025” that are full of panicked parents

• Students posting TikToks about living in lounges or hotels

If you see any of these, take notice.

Why This Matters More Than You Think

Housing is not a small detail. It affects:

• Safety

• Mental health

• Ability to make friends

• Sense of belonging

• Academic performance

• Cost (off-campus living can add thousands)

An college housing crisis can derail a student’s entire first year.

Tips for Families

Here’s what I now recommend as standard practice:

✔ Add housing research to your college spreadsheet

Track guarantees, costs, and availability.

✔ Join parent Facebook groups before committing

You’ll learn more in 10 minutes there than from any brochure.

✔ Visit the dorms during tours

If they show you a single renovated room, ask to see a standard first-year hall.

✔ Plan financially for the possibility of off-campus housing

Even if it isn’t needed, you’ll be prepared.

✔ Have candid conversations with admissions

Ask directly: “Have you used overflow housing recently?" Make them answer.

Final Thought

Your student’s first year sets the tone for their entire college experience. A supportive, stable living environment can make all the difference—and the time to research this isn’t after they deposit, but before they even apply.

Trust me. I learned the hard way so you don’t have to.

If you found this helpful, you may enjoy this - Why Putting Down a Housing Deposit Early Could Give Your College Student the Best Shot at the Perfect Dorm - A Must-Read for Parents!