Virginia's community college has been commuter college since 1960 with no student housing facility on campus. In the latest meeting of  Virginia Community Colleges (VCCS) State Board, the board decided to explore the student housing on the campus of the community college and instructed VCCS Facilities Management Services office to develop a plan to reach out to real estate developers to determine their interest and qualifications to build, finance and operate student housing.

Jack Hanbury, Patrick Henry Community College in Virginia has already been exploring the idea of student housing. Patrick Henry focuses on establishing a 200-unit complex on or near campus, with 1-3 bedroom apartments. Hanbury noted additional affordable housing could also benefit the local economy. The student housing idea may also have support outside of Virginia’s rural districts.

The next regularly-scheduled VCCS State Board meeting is set for mid-January, but there was no expectation that this proposal will receive further action at that time.