ÉÙ¸¾Ãâ·ÑÖ±²¥ has received funding approval from the provincial government for its first-ever student housing project.
Why student housing
In July 2024, the B.C government announced funding approval for the first-ever Student Housing project at ÉÙ¸¾Ãâ·ÑÖ±²¥. The student housing building will be located on the Lansdowne campus, situated where Oak Bay meets Saanich. This is an active, urban area well-connected by bus routes and close to shops, parks, and residential neighbourhoods.
Many Camosun students face the challenge of securing affordable housing and often opt to commute long distances to campus. Each week, on average, over 3,500 students commute to the Lansdowne campus. With $151.7 million in provincial funding alongside $3 million contributed through the college, the college aims to alleviate the housing burden and provide students with accessible and supportive on-campus housing.
On-campus housing has many academic, personal and social benefits including greater retention rates, while freeing up rental spaces in the surrounding community.Â
Artist renderings
Housing details
The Lansdowne Student Housing building will sit on a portion of the under-used long-term parking lot off Foul Bay Road. Its E-shaped footprint is set well back from the street, placing most of the height and bulk toward the rear of the site. This distance preserves neighbours’ privacy, helps block road noise, and breaks up the view along Foul Bay Road so the building feels less imposing.
The six-storey, timber-frame building will:
- provide over 400 affordable beds / 118 kitchens in a variety of suite configurations
- contribute housing capacity to address the critical need for housing in the region
- minimize the need for students to travel to campus by providing affordable, sustainable on-campus housing
- repurpose an underutilized and aging parking lot into an active space within the campus
- preserve existing trees where possible and plant new trees for the next generation
- provide two small commercial spaces – a coffee shop and a student-needs retail store.
Timeline and Process
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the status of on-campus student housing?
- In July 2024, the B.C. government announced funding approval for the first-ever student housing project at ÉÙ¸¾Ãâ·ÑÖ±²¥.
- BTY has been hired as project managers: BTY plays a key role in guiding the project, providing expert project management, as well as business and corporate management consultation services to ensure project success.
- Dialoge and Thinkspace have been hired as prime consultants: Dialoge and Thinkspace will lead the design phase, foster community engagement, and help bring our vision of a vibrant campus community to life.
- Kinetic has been hired as the construction manager for the project: Kinetic will lead the construction of the student housing building.
What is the scope?
- Plans include construction of a six-storey, timber-frame building that will accommodate over 400Â beds / 118 kitchens in a variety of suite configurations on the Lansdowne campus on the Oak Bay side of the main parking lot off Foul Bay Road.
- Two small commercial spaces – a coffee shop and a student-needs retail store.
What is the cost and timeline?
- The approved total project cost is $154.7 million with $151.7 million in provincial government funding and $3 million from the college.
- Construction is anticipated to start in 2026.
Can neighbours provide input on the design of the building?
- ÉÙ¸¾Ãâ·ÑÖ±²¥ is committed to being a good neighbour.
- The college is actively engaging with neighbours, stakeholders, and community groups to review and provide input on the proposed design of the building.
- The Student Housing Open House in June 2025 builds on the public engagements that have taken place since 2023 (open house and online survey).
- Neighbours can reach out to the college at communications@camosun.ca.
Any plans to bring student housing to Interurban?
- We know both campuses can accommodate student housing.
- Our initial focus is on building student housing on the Lansdowne campus by virtue of its location to services, shopping, transit and other amenities.
- A future phase includes bringing student housing to the Interurban campus and is part of the college’s annual capital project submission to the ministry.
What are some of the building features?
- The building includes a combination of single (dormitory/traditional-style), studio (single suite) and quad (four-bedroom, apartment style) units.
- Two small commercial spaces: a coffee shop and a student-needs retail store.
- 350 bicycle parking spaces.
Will the units be affordable?
- Rental costs will be comp