As the autumn semester commences, numerous universities are drawing attention for converting purchased existing properties into student dormitories. In a pioneering move, Hubei University acquired commercial housing adjacent to its campus, transforming units in Wuhan Urban Construction · Shui'an into student apartments, marking the first case of a university purchasing existing commercial properties for this purpose.
According to reports, the student apartments at Wuhan Urban Construction · Shui'an are a mere five-minute walk from the teaching area of Hubei University, with each building equipped with a dedicated residential management team. From the exterior facade to the roads and landscaping, these student apartments bear little difference from typical commercial residential communities. Inside, dormitories are fully equipped with air conditioning and hot water, featuring four independent rooms per unit, allowing students to socialize or retreat to their private spaces.
Graduate student Xie Ziying noted that living in the student apartment offers convenient access to fitness equipment downstairs. Meal deliveries can arrive directly at the dormitory door, and courier services like SF Express and JD Logistics can deliver packages right to the rooms. With the university across the street, daily commutes to classes are quick and hassle-free. What she finds even more reassuring is that the improved living conditions did not significantly raise her accommodation costs. Sharing a double room at an annual fee of 1320 yuan, she remarked, "We don't pay property management fees, yet we feel we enjoy the amenities of a property owner."
Beyond Hubei University, other institutions such as Shenzhen University, Hefei University of Technology, Central South University, and China University of Mining and Technology (Xuzhou) have also acquired existing commercial properties for student housing. These moves address both student accommodation needs and help revitalize the commercial housing inventory. Recently, nearly 10,000 new students arrived at China University of Mining and Technology (Xuzhou) for the 2026 academic year, with doctoral students moving into the Guanshanfu Doctoral Apartment. This facility initially offers 174 units furnished with complete living essentials and appliances. Located in a garden-style residential area with eight-story buildings and extensive greenery, the apartments provide high living standards. Yet, the annual fee remains low, at 1500 yuan per person for a single room and 1300 yuan for a double room.
Why are universities buying homes for dormitories? In recent years, campus space has become largely saturated, intensifying the strain on student housing. Public reports indicate some universities have resorted to "online dormitory grabbing" or reverting to ten-person rooms. The traditional path of planning, approval, and construction often takes one and a half to two years just to initiate, with an additional two years for completion—making it insufficient to meet current demands. Purchasing existing properties proves to be both quicker and more cost-effective. For instance, Hubei University's acquisition saved about 30% in costs and reduced the construction timeline by over 50% compared to conventional building methods. Moreover, as the higher education-age population peaks and enrollments may decline in some universities, this flexible approach to acquiring existing housing could become even more advantageous, avoiding potential dormitory vacancies.
In Jiangsu Province, recent measures have been introduced to support this trend. The provincial finance department, along with the development and reform commission and education department, issued a subsidy plan aimed at 75 provincial universities. This plan encourages a mix of "renovate, rent, buy, build, and adjust" strategies to allocate dormitory resources. It offers a fixed subsidy of 2000 yuan per bed annually for rental projects to reduce costs and utilize social housing. For purchases, support is provided in areas with relatively lower property prices like Xuzhou, Huai'an, and Lianyungang, with the provincial finance covering 30% of the costs, simultaneously addressing dormitory shortages and reducing housing inventory.
In 2024, a guiding opinion from seven national ministries, including the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Education, encouraged universities to supplement dormitory resources by purchasing or renting social housing such as talent apartments and commercial buildings near campuses. It also emphasized managing these resources with standards equivalent to on-campus facilities. Research scholar Wu Qiuxiang from Renmin University of China noted that such acquisitions require several key conditions: significant unmet housing demand with no available campus land, suitable entire buildings nearby that are accessible and manageable, cost-effectiveness compared to construction, and clear policy and financial support. "When all these conditions align, buying becomes the rational choice for a quick fix. If demand is not urgent or if better options exist, renting or building may be preferable," he explained.
Commentary on universities purchasing commercial housing as dorms has also pointed out potential managerial challenges. Unlike on-campus dormitories, off-campus apartments introduce complexities that complicate daily management. Given constraints on demand and funding, universities may not acquire entire communities, making "safety" a primary concern. It is advised that universities proactively innovate in management models, strengthen school-local cooperation, and improve crowd flow mechanisms to address these issues effectively.