Students press borough council on housing shortage; council and university officials say solutions will take time

Multiple Westchester University students and some residents used the public-comment period to urge borough officials to address an acute student and broader affordable housing shortage.

Patrick Baker Evens, who identified himself as a junior living in campus housing, told council that the university has roughly 9,000 beds for about 17,000 students and that many students must find off-campus housing in a tight local market. "WCU students are a vital part of this community," he said, and asked for affordable, safe housing options so students can remain part of the borough.

Several other students — including Theodora Caldwell and Lily (last name not provided) — described anxiety about housing application timelines and limited guarantees for sophomores, juniors and seniors. One student suggested relaxing local height limits to allow upward expansion for new housing; another urged the borough and university to cooperate on longer-term builds.

Council and the mayor acknowledged the problem and said it affects more than students. Council President McCoy (title used in the meeting) noted the borough's comprehensive plan includes workforce housing and that university and borough planning and funding needs make rapid fixes unlikely. "There are no easy, fast solutions to this," one council member said. The mayor encouraged students to stay engaged and participate in local processes.

Council members said they are aware of the housing shortage and that the university has plans for additional on-campus housing; they urged students to follow university housing application dates and to continue bringing concerns to council.

No council action was taken during the meeting; student comments were received during the public-comment portion of the agenda.