How Top Universities are Solving Off-Campus Housing Challenges in Higher Ed

Recent studies have revealed that 78% of undergraduates live off-campus. As students transition from on-campus residence halls to off-campus community living, creating a unified and supported housing experience has become an important focus for top higher education professionals. While the shift brings new opportunities, it also introduces avoidable complications for students and administrators alike, including fragmented information, leasing confusion, equity gaps, and more.

As student housing teams take on more responsibilities, having the right tools in place is more important than ever. In this post, we’ll discuss some of the common challenges housing teams face and explore how an off-campus housing platform like Rent College Pads (College Pads) can help administrators navigate them more effectively.

Clear Solutions to Common Challenges with Off-Campus Housing

1. Easily Centralize Fragmented Information

According to StarRez’s 2025 State of the Student Housing Industry Report, 81% of institutions say the transition off campus impacts the student experience. Yet, students often search across multiple platforms without a clear starting point, and administrators lack visibility into where students live. This can lead to confusion and disconnected support, but it’s easily solved with a centralized, trusted housing hub.

2. Simplify Leasing Confusion

Without proper guidance, students may struggle to evaluate leases or find reliable landlords. According to a 2024 Rently study, 62% of respondents who experienced a rental scam lost more than $500².  For administrators, this often results in reactive problem-solving. But with verified listings and educational resources, the leasing process can be far more transparent and student-friendly.

3. Close Equity Gaps

First-generation, international, and under-resourced students often face added complexity in their housing search. In fact, nearly 40% of institutions report rising demand for housing from international students. With the right search tools and support features, every student, regardless of background, can feel confident navigating the off-campus experience.

4. Align Disconnected Stakeholders

Lack of communication between institutions and local landlords can hinder resolution of conduct or safety issues. But streamlined communication channels create a more collaborative, responsive ecosystem for everyone involved. Texas State University realized this gap with their own institutional growth and decided to implement College Pads to help connect their students, staff, and local community. “We saw a need to have off-campus housing for students supported by a marketplace that could easily connect students to those options,” said Tyler Barstow, Off Campus Living Senior Coordinator at Texas State University. “College Pads helped us understand and market our local housing inventory in ways we had never done before.”

5. Curb Off-Campus Isolation

Students living off campus may disengage from the broader campus community. With consistent branding, engagement tools, and insights, it becomes easier to keep them informed, involved, and supported. The 2025 State of Student Housing Industry report found that 72% of institutions believe a smoother move to off-campus housing would have a positive impact on student outcomes.

A Smarter Path Forward: A Solution Built for Off-Campus Success

Off-campus housing is often overlooked in conversations about student success, but it plays a critical role in the broader campus housing ecosystem. The challenge isn’t that students don’t want to live on campus, there just isn’t enough room. As housing demand outpaces supply, off-campus options are becoming a key part of how top institutions support student retention and graduation.  

College Pads was designed for higher education, offering solutions to the challenges that come with off-campus housing. The platform gives institutions the tools and insights they need to connect with students, understand the surrounding market, and foster a more connected campus community.

1. Centralized Listings

✔️ University-Branded Platform

Hosted on your institution’s subdomain, College Pads provides students with a trusted, familiar space to explore housing, while giving administrators a centralized resource for referrals. The custom-branded platform features your colors and logos, keeping your brand front and center and helping off-campus students stay connected to campus life.

2. Smarter Leasing Experience

✔️ Verified & Specialized Listings
Every listing is tailored specifically for students and vetted for accuracy by College Pads. Universities can also review and weigh in on listings. This helps reduce the risk of scams and mismatched expectations and gives administrators peace of mind when referring students.

✔️ First-Time Renter Education Resources
Students are equipped with tools and resources they need to understand leases, prioritize key criteria, and recognize their responsibilities—helping reduce confusion and supporting them through what is often their first rental experience.

3. Equitable Housing Access

✔️ Student-Centered Search Tools
Designed around student needs, College Pads helps students easily find housing that fits their preferences. They can filter by location, building type, amenities, and more to ensure their future residence aligns with exactly what they’re looking for.  

✔️ Roommate Search Tools
Students can find compatible roommates directly through the platform, easing the transition and promoting equitable access for out-of-state and international students who may not have a local network.

4. Sustained Engagement & Insight

✔️ Dashboard Reporting & Insights
Pre-built dashboards and customizable reports help housing staff track student behavior, review listing trends, and gather market data to inform long-term planning and strengthen student support.

Laying the Foundation for Off-campus Success

Off-campus housing doesn't have to be a challenge. It can be an extension of your institution’s commitment to student success.

With College Pads, you’re not just offering listings, you're providing a comprehensive solution that aligns with your mission, enhances experiences, and makes off-campus living a seamless part of each student’s higher education journey.