Staff Writer | Dayon Hokim Jr
When FIU announced its first affiliated off-campus housing building, a 21-story tower with 820 beds opening across from MMC in Fall 2028, I had mixed emotions about this for many reasons.
After years of packed dorms and waiting lists, any new housing feels like relief.
But with more than 10,000 students who live on campus and others who are trying to get into housing, the real question is whether this will actually solve the problem or just help a small percentage of people.
Housing is one of the biggest struggles for FIU students right now. Housing is one of the biggest struggles at FIU right now because there simply aren’t enough affordable places near campus for the number of students who need them, forcing many of us to commute long distances or overcrowd apartments just to stay enrolled.
820 beds sounds like a lot, but in retrospect, it barely makes a dent in the overall demand.FIU needs thousands of additional affordable beds to even begin matching the number of students searching for housing each semester. Right now, the demand is so high that many students are stuck on waiting lists or paying overpriced rent simply because there aren’t enough options close to campus.
When I first transferred to FIU, finding housing near campus felt almost impossible. I ended up commuting, planning my entire day around parking, and missing out on campus life after classes. If a building like this had existed back then, especially one tied directly to FIU, it could have made that transition a lot smoother and less stressful.
Even now, having more housing options near campus would make a difference.
I also have a friend who would benefit immediately from something like this. He currently shares a cramped apartment with several roommates because it’s the only way he can afford to stay near campus.
A student-focused building could give people like him a more stable environment somewhere designed for studying and student life instead of just surviving month to month.
There are clear advantages to the new housing. Being across the street from MMC means less commuting stress and more convenience. Students could attend late classes, campus events, or study sessions without worrying about driving home at night.
For the few who get a room, this building could change everything, but for thousands still commuting for hours, it will be a constant reminder of a solution that barely reached them.
If FIU wants to support its students, this cannot be the fix;
It has to be the beginning.
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The opinions presented on this page do not represent the views of the PantherNOW Editorial Board. These views are separate from editorials and reflect the perspectives of contributing writers and/or university community members
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