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Housing Shortage Becomes Problem At SUNY Canton

Story Published: Jul 10, 2012 at 4:23 PM EDT

Story Updated: Jul 10, 2012 at 7:59 PM EDT

Local realtor Debbie Gilson says Canton's rental housing market is so tight that incoming college students may be hard-pressed to locate any available rooms.

There aren't many "for rent" signs and the housing crunch is raising concerns over how the influx of college students, faculty members and other renters may be accommodated.

"It's very, very tight and this is with the students gone. With the students coming back, I can only see it getting worse," said Gilson of County Seat Realty.
 
Record-breaking enrollment at SUNY Canton is also putting on campus housing at near capacity - forcing the college to look off-campus for additional housing options.

"Not only are we looking for some short-term solutions this coming fall, but we're also looking longer term to see what we can do so we're not in this situation again next year," said Randy Sieminski of SUNY Canton.

It was just last fall that the college opened a 300-room residence hall to help ease its ongoing housing squeeze.

But the rapid escalation in enrollment levels is fueling demand for more student housing.
 
Older residence halls are getting a facelift for the summer break and will be ready to house students when they arrive in the fall.

College officials are also looking at the possibility of building new campus housing to handle long-term needs, but for now are reaching out to local landlords and the community to help with additional student housing.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
, Watertown, NY

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