Nearly 300 students still on UNF housing waitlist

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Many freshmen at the University of North Florida moved into their dorm Friday while hundreds of others are still looking for a place to live this fall.

A UNF spokesperson said the demand is greater than the supply, but it’s trying to get as many students into housing as possible — a problem universities are facing nationwide.

Surging costs for rent and a renewed desire for students to experience traditional campus life after two years of COVID-19 restrictions have led to a supply shortage.

“It’s a relief because I know that a lot of people are struggling and it’s just unfortunate because it’s all across the state that they’re just overbooked for housing and there are not enough places for students to stay so I’m really lucky that I got a place to stay,” first-year student Chase Rodgerson said.

Nearly 300 students were on UNF’s housing waitlist at the start of move-in week, including 175 upper-class students and 121 first-year students.

That wait list is expected to remain open through September.

To make more space, the university has added a third bed to some rooms at a discounted rate.

It’s also negotiating with a local hotel for discounted room rates for students.