The Housing Plan
Guiding Principles
In September of 2005 Princeton began a two-year campus planning process. The process was intended to insure that the next ten years of growth be designed within the context of a clear vision for the campus and its role in the community. The Campus Plan that emerged took a comprehensive and integrated approach to the campus by studying and providing recommended strategies over six overarching themes, one of which was Housing.
Three principles for formulating a housing plan were articulated in the Campus Plan. They were:
- Sustain Princeton's thriving living and learning community by providing faculty and staff with rental and ownership housing in proximity to campus.
- Continue to house a large majority of graduate students.
- Improve the quality and condition of all of the University's off-campus housing, with particular attention to large complexes that are over forty years old.
Using the Campus Plan principles, the Housing Study Committee embraced the following tenets to develop a plan for the present and future housing needs of graduate students, faculty and staff.
- Improve the quality and condition of off-campus housing.
Many rental units have outlived their useful life and are not desirable by today's rental housing market standards. There are urgent needs for health, safety and accessibility upgrades.
- Minimize significant impacts to the percentage of graduate students housed at Princeton.
One of Princeton's defining characteristics is its small, residential community, that provides academic and extracurricular opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. More than 70 percent of graduate students live on campus, either in dormitory style living at the Graduate College or in rental properties. In planning for change, it was important to continue to provide housing for a large majority of the graduate student population.
- Make best use of real estate within the University context.
An important consideration in devising the plan was the best use of property, taking into account the desired living arrangements of graduate students, faculty and staff, property locations, zoning and environmental requirements.
- Provide ownership and rental housing for faculty and staff close to campus, including short term/transitional and visitor housing.
Maintaining a thriving living and learning community, is a defining characteristic of Princeton. Providing rental and ownership housing opportunities for faculty and staff close to campus, in many cases within walking distance, enhances the residential community.
- Rely on the local rental and real estate market to satisfy any unmet need.
The University is committed to providing assistance to individuals needing help in finding a suitable place to live.