Summary

• A six-storey building with 429 beds is under construction at Camosun’s Lansdowne campus
• It is the first student housing building at the college and will reduce pressure on the local rental market by providing students with more housing options
• Opening is expected in early 2029

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Construction is beginning on a student-housing project for the first time at Camosun College’s Lansdowne campus.

“Building the first-ever student housing at Camosun College is a major step forward for the campus community,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure. “This new building will give students modern, sustainable spaces to live, study and build community, while strengthening the infrastructure the college needs for the future.”

More options for students

The six-storey building will offer students more options for affordable housing while helping ease pressure on the local housing market. It will include:

• a mix of single-bedroom dorms, as well as studio and four-bedroom apartment-style units that provide a total of 429 student beds
• temporary accommodation space for students in crisis, ensuring people have a safe space to stay in times of need
• amenities including a coffee shop, a meeting space and secured bicycle parking spaces
• communal laundry rooms, lounges and quiet study rooms on every floor

The building will be designed to create a welcoming space aligned with Indigenous culture and values. Construction will also strive for environmental sustainability and energy efficiency, targeting BC Energy Step Code Level 4 and LEED Platinum certification.

“This new student housing is a huge investment in the lives of Camosun students,” said Diana Gibson, MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head. “Adding hundreds of new homes for young people on campus will also ease the pressure on housing here in Oak Bay-Gordon Head, and foster a better experience and community for students at Camosun.”

The Province is providing $151.7 million for the project and Camosun College is contributing $3 million.

The new student-housing building is expected to be ready in early 2029.

Supporting post-secondary education in B.C.

Since 2017, the Province has committed more than $4 billion in post-secondary education infrastructure:

• two billion for student housing, creating nearly 7,300 new student beds in B.C. that are complete, with thousands more underway
• more than $2 billion for other post-secondary campus infrastructure, including new campuses and specialty buildings

“It’s exciting to see the student housing project finally come to life,” said Riley Lam, Lansdowne executive, Camosun College Student Society. “Student housing is vital for the college community and will be a gamechanger for many students.”

The Province is committed to continuing to work with post-secondary institutions to ensure students have the housing and supports they need to succeed.

Quotes:

Jessie Sunner, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills –

“On‑campus student housing at Camosun College will provide students with safe, supportive places to live so they can focus on their studies and succeed. Building student housing is a key part of our government’s commitment to ensuring accessible and affordable post-secondary education for students across British Columbia.”

Nina Krieger, MLA for Victoria-Swan Lake –

“Bringing hundreds of student homes to campus will make a real difference for the community. It will give Camosun students more affordable places to live and free up more housing for people living throughout the capital region; a win for students and neighbours alike.”

Lane Trotter, president, Camosun College –

“On-campus housing has many academic, personal and social benefits, including greater retention rates, while freeing up rental spaces in the surrounding community. Living on campus gives students better access to academic and wellness supports, and strengthens their connections to peers, which allows them to focus on their education.”

Lindsay Kearns, chair of the board of governors, Camosun College –

“We are grateful for the Province’s investment in student housing. I look forward to seeing the campus community grow as a result of on-campus housing.”

Learn More:

• For the previous announcement about the new Camosun College student housing, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2024PSFS0037-001130