With affordable housing in high demand, colleges and universites across the nation are responding to more requests from students to find their next home away from home.
Institutions are facing unprecedented demand for student housing with long wait lists and not enough building stock to meet the current need and Alabama State University is no different.
However, recently, the university found success in meeting that growing need by securing more off-campus housing around the university’s perimeter.
With the recent closing of Rosa Willease Simpson Hall, due to its condition, the university has provided another convenient living space for students.
Country Club Apartments, a complex located on 1631 East Fairview Avenue across from Huntingdon College, is a new housing option for students who have earned 78 credit hours.
“I hope that students and the campus community can see that the Office of Housing and Residential Life is moving in a positive direction by offering our senior students off-campus living arrangements,” said Rakesha Hines, Ph.D., assistant vice president for Student Affairs and director of Housing and Residential Life. “This development hopefully, will continue into great partnerships around the city of Montgomery.”
She continued.
“Housing and Residential Life is committed to hearing our patrons, and continually striving to provide the best service to our students. Not only with this development, I am hoping to continue work with student leadership and the administration to bridge the gap and provide optimum service to our students. I want students to know that our office is open to serve them and we are hearing what is said, and doing everything in our might to make improvements.”
However, Hines says that her office was not the only one involved in the process of identifying housing for the fall.
“Due to Simpson Hall closing for fall 2023 academic year, the Physical Plant Department in collaboration with Housing and Residential Life came up with a plan to supplement the housing we were losing due to a building closing. This is how the plan for off-campus housing developed,” she said.
The off-campus housing facility was mainly advertised through e-mail, which, according to Hines, was due to time constraints.
“We let students know about the option, the amount and the location.” Hines said. “Due to the time crunch of getting the information out to the students, Housing, unfortunately, was not able to get SGA and other student organizations involved.”
Housing and the Physical Plant Department wanted an off-campus location in close proximity to the university, which led them to Country Club Apartments which is extremely close to Alabama State University. Alabama State University Public Safety will be providing security at the apartment complex.
There will not be a shuttle provided to and from campus. It was stated on the housing application portal that there would be no transportation, as well as on the advertisement. So students who do not have transportation worries are invited to apply.
“The great thing about being at Country Club Apartments is that it is extremely close to the campus and is within walking distance.” Hines said.
The apartments will be furnished with a bed, desk and dresser in the living room. The front room will have a couch and a table with two chairs. The apartments have amenities that include stove, fridge and dishwasher.
There will be security provided by ASU-PD. There will not be a shuttle to go back and forth to the apartments, therefore, it is strongly encouraged that students have vehicles that are planning on residing at Country Club Apartments.