Off-campus housing for students could become more difficult

Finding housing can be a difficult task especially if you’re looking to live off campus. For some students, off-campus housing is a more attractive option – and it can be cheaper for those typical “broke college kids.”

“I looked off campus, because I am not made of money and can’t afford to live in Commons or Courtyards,” senior at the University of Maryland Lana Marcon said. “I also didn’t want to live in a dorm my junior or senior year.”

Marcon is one of a number of students that rents an apartment with other students off campus in what some students refer to as a “Knox Box.” These houses, divided into apartments and often rented to students, can be cheaper than living on campus.

However, off-campus housing might not be as easy to find in the upcoming years. In September, the city of College Park put on hold a law that tried to stop the conversion of owner-occupied properties into rental properties called the rent stabilization law, according to councilmember Patrick Wojahn.

Since students are usually the ones who rent property, the city tried to limit the number of rental properties which would limit the number of students living in the community of College Park.

According to Wojahn, the City Council in the past stated that owning homes means people invest more in their property and in their community, creating a stronger sense of community. Residents complained of noise at night, parties, vandalism and urination in their yards leading to the making of the law, according to Wojahn.

“Students lead different lifestyles than long-term residents,” Wojahn said.

The city’s new solution to this problem is the Neighborhood Stabilization and Quality of Life Workgroup.

The workgroup had its first meeting two weeks ago. The goal is now to establish task forces, each on a different issue, consisting of representatives from the University of Maryland, the police, students, landlords and residents which can come up with different recommendations.

“Ultimately, we want to finalize these actions that the task forces and public forums recommend to address the problem,” Wojahn said.

Students living in off-campus housing gave their experiences living off-campus and in residential neighborhoods.

“I’ve lived in a Knox Box for two years now and no one has complained about my being a student,” Marcon said. “Then again, my neighbors are all students too.”

Despite the potential that a student renting property is surrounded by other students renting property, there are some residents that do live next door to or near students renting apartments or houses.

Greg Ferraro, a junior at the University of Maryland, rents a house in College Park with four other students next to long-term residents. He did not disclose the address.

“We’ve thrown some pretty loud parties,” Ferraro said. “I’m not surprised residents have been complaining. They have to get up for jobs, but not all of us have class the next day.”

Seniors at the University of Maryland, Doug Aster and Keaton Pavier, rent an apartment in one of the “Knox Boxes.” They share this house with long-term residents. Astler and Pavier both admitted to having many friends over and causing too much noise.

“Our neighbors have this texting system,” Pavier said. “They usually text us around 1 a.m. if we’re being too loud. Although one time the cops showed up to our door on a noise complaint, but all our friends had already left. Not sure if our neighbors made that call.”

The workgroup aims to bring all people concerned over the issue together in order to create a comfortable environment where different lifestyles can still live in the same neighborhood.

“I think it’s a good idea, if I wasn’t graduating early I’d go so that it’s easier for students to live off-campus,” Marcon said.

The first public forum the workgroup will hold is said to be in January, according to Wojahn. The two slated to come after are in March and April. Students are encouraged to attend.