Area landlords invited to ease
GCC's student housing crunch

A shortage of student housing this fall has prompted Genesee Community College to expand its landlord registry, Director of Student Activities Clifford M. Scutella announced last week. Area landlords who wish to rent apartments or rooms to students are invited to call the college’s housing office at 345-6832 to place their names on the college’s facilities list that is then made available to students seeking housing.

The housing shortage is prompted by the growing number of out-of-area students attending Genesee Community College, including more than 80 international students. Two years ago, the Genesee Community College Foundation purchased private apartment buildings adjacent to the campus to be used for student housing. The complex, now named "College Village," is already filled to capacity, and has a waiting list of more than 30 students.

Genesee Community College is committed to helping students finding suitable housing, Scutella said. "We take a special interest in housing for many reasons," he said. "First, and foremost, we want to be sure that every out-of-area student has a safe and affordable place to live while attending Genesee. But as a practical matter, we know that many students need housing if they want to attend Genesee. Helping students find housing keeps our enrollment strong."

Most out-of-area students attend classes at the Batavia Campus, Scutella said. The greatest need for housing is in the Batavia area, but landlords with apartments or rooms in other Genesee County towns or villages are welcome to list their properties with the housing office, he said.

Last year, an economic impact study showed that Genesee Community College had an overall impact of $57 million on the local economy. Part of this impact was the result of spending by out-of-area students and their families. "We have a great college," Mr. Scutella said. "We have a reputation that extends across state and even around the globe, and we’re attracting more and more students as a result. All of this is wonderful news for Genesee and for the wider community, but we have to be sure that every student who wants to attend has a place to live."