University of Pittsburgh Students Adapt to Hotel and Apartment Living: Finding Community Amid Disconnection

Becca Vitale is captured outside the Pennsylvania Apartments’ courtyard on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, in North Oakland. Due to an influx of students exceeding on-campus housing capacity, the University of Pittsburgh has resorted to leasing nearby apartments and hotel accommodations. Even as the higher education sector anticipates an enrollment downturn, Pitt's campus population has surged unexpectedly, intensifying local housing demand. Hannah Peck, a first-year student living in the Hampton Inn, remarked on the disconnect she feels from campus life, despite her room’s amenities. Meanwhile, university spokesperson Jared Stonesifer emphasized that all housing options are situated within a mile of the campus center. The university's current first-year enrollment has shattered previous records, continuing an upward trend. Although predictions suggest an upcoming decline in national college enrollments, Pitt's applications have remained robust, with nearly 65,000 received for the current academic year. Ultimately, the burgeoning student population raises concerns over local housing costs, a reflection not typically observed in gentrifying neighborhoods.