JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Freshmen are moving into the University of North Florida on Friday, with the fall semester starting on Monday.
But nearly 500 students are still waiting for a place to live on campus, as the university is looking to address housing demands.
UNF says housing contracts are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
The recently opened Osprey Ridge residence hall, which marked the university’s first major housing expansion since 2009, brings 520 beds to campus at a key time for the university, which is dealing with a housing crunch.
“Growth is a challenge,” Interim UNF Dean Dr. Scott Brown said. “Each year it’s hard to predict exactly what our final numbers will be.”
According to the student-run UNF Spinnaker, about 1,350 freshmen met the May 15 deadline to secure housing and participate in room selection. Those who applied after that date -- about 500 students -- are now on standby, according to university officials.
Incoming freshman Landon Purdie initially planned to live on campus this fall but had second thoughts after finding out he was No. 88 on the waitlist.
“I had ended up getting an email later that week stating that I wasn’t gonna get a dorm and that I was placed on a standby list,” Purdie said.
This fall, 3,700 housing spaces will be available for students, an increase of about 100 since last year. But UNF is currently in the middle of a major renovation at Osprey Landing, one of its largest housing facilities.
The project has taken about 422 beds offline temporarily.
Once renovations at the Landing are complete, the university’s total on-campus capacity will increase to just over 4,000 beds.
The university is sharing regular updates with students on their housing status as well as providing off-campus resources for those exploring alternative options, saying the following in a statement sent to News4JAX.
All first-year students who applied for housing by the May deadline, as well as returning and transfer students who applied by the April deadline, have been admitted to housing and are now eligible to select their rooms.
Students who applied after these deadlines were accommodated as space allowed, and others have been placed on a standby list.
Spokesperson for the University of North Florida
Osprey Ridge
Located next to Osprey Fountains on Osprey Ridge Road, the new four-story, 165,000-square-foot Osprey Ridge facility includes a living-learning community specifically designed for students in UNF’s Hicks Honors College, though it’s open to students from all academic programs.
The building features modern amenities such as study lounges, kitchenettes, a catering room, and a convenience store. Outdoor recreation areas include sand volleyball and pickleball courts, surrounded by scenic green space. A newly constructed boardwalk connects the residence hall to the main campus.
A second phase of development — an academic center adjacent to the new residence hall — is currently in early planning stages, supported by the state legislature and private donors, including the Ann and David Hicks family.
More housing
Another major housing project — a 700-bed complex developed by Chance Partners — is scheduled to open in 2027 on leased land at First Coast Tech Parkway. That project will also include a clubhouse and pool.
Osprey Ridge was designed by PBK and constructed by Ajax Building Company, with several UNF alumni involved in the project.
“As a former student myself, it means a lot to be part of a project that will have a lasting impact on campus,” said Sid Myakala, a project engineer who earned his master’s in construction management from UNF in 2024.
The university says expanding housing is part of a broader effort to meet student needs as enrollment continues to grow.
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Off-campus housing costs
Alternative off-campus options are also a challenge.
A recent report shows the cost of college, including room and board, has jumped 42% over the past two decades.
According to RentCafe, the average rent in Jacksonville is around $1,501 a month for a 981-square-foot unit. Over a 12-month lease, that adds up to more than $18,000, or about $9,000 annually if shared with a roommate. That doesn’t include furniture, deposits or utilities.
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By comparison, a double-occupancy dorm at UNF costs $3,474 per semester, or $6,948 for the school year. That price includes utilities, furnishings, and can often be covered by financial aid.
That affordability gap isn’t unique to UNF. According to a recent national survey by The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs, 59% of college students nationwide faced basic needs insecurity in the 2023–24 school year.
That includes:
- 48% of students who experienced housing instability
- 14% who experienced homelessness
