Campbell commends Purdue for response to housing crisis but believes there is more to be done

Last week, Purdue University announced their response to the housing crisis in Tippecanoe County. The university's plan includes two construction projects that will increase housing for undergraduate students. Located on Third Street and McCormick, the first residence hall will accommodate almost 1,000 students. The second residence hall will have 896 beds and be located immediately south of Hillenbrand Hall. Both projects will be completed by the summer of 2026. 

For the past decade, limited options at the university have pushed students off-campus and into the West Lafayette and Lafayette housing markets. Since 2013, Purdue University has increased enrollment – by more than 12,000 students – and exceeded the number of beds available. The university's inability to keep up with record enrollments has strained rental property demand. In the next couple of years, Purdue expects plateaued enrollment and new residence halls to ease the housing shortage. More undergraduate students will stay on-campus as housing availability surpasses the enrollment increases. State Rep. Chris Campbell (D-West Lafayette) credits Purdue University for beginning to mitigate the crisis. 

“Our residents deserve affordable, quality housing. They deserve homes in which they can comfortably raise their families. In Tippecanoe County, the housing crisis is making this expectation less of a reality. Rental prices have skyrocketed, availability has decreased and we’ve seen rentals in dilapidated conditions. Purdue University’s unwillingness to act in recent years has exacerbated the crisis. It’s uplifting to see Purdue University take the initial steps to remedy the housing supply shortage.

“I’m glad that the university has finally listened to the requests of local officials and their Action Council on Student Housing and Wellbeing. With new dorms, students will be accommodated on-campus which will increase local availability for county residents. Housing has become a serious issue and I’m happy that Purdue University is finally taking concrete action. While Purdue’s plan is a leap forward, there is still substantial work to be done. As we move into the 2024 legislative session, I’m committed to working with local leaders to provide affordable, quality housing options.”