An illustration of the proposed 510-bed student residence project is now delayed. (Courtesy of UVic)
The University of Victoria says that it is disappointed by the Province’s decision to delay its student housing project.
The provincial budget for 2026 marked UVic student housing expansion as “re-paced,” along with a couple of other projects in the province, to manage the construction cost from increasing.
The project to construct the 510-bed student residences for upper-year undergraduates and graduates was scheduled to start in May this year and was scheduled to be completed by the end of 2029.
The province has committed $121 million for project, with UVic contributing $57 million.
Following the delay, the work is now estimated to be completed in 2034.
Issuing a statement on the decision, UVic said that the proposed units will play an important role in relieving pressure in Victoria’s rental market, while ensuring more students can live and learn in a supportive campus environment.
“The impacts of this decision will be felt by many on our campus… the university has already invested significant time and resources in it. We remain committed to seeing the project through to completion as we continue to explore and advocate for student housing at UVic,” acting president and vice-chancellor at UVic Qwul’sih’yah’maht, Robina Thomas said in the statement.
UVic said they are waiting to receive more information from the province about the project delay and their long-term plans to address student housing demands in the region.
The proposed building is set to be constructed on a portion of parking lot five, with 150 studio units and 90 quads. It will be completed as a 17-storey high-rise with seven storey mid-rise along the Campus Greenway.
With the new building, 128 secure bike-parking stalls for residents are also included.
The university says that the community has expressed strong support for increasing on-campus housing.
Under phase one of the project, UVic shared initial planning concepts and collected feedback through stakeholders presentations in January 2025. It followed with two open houses and an online survey where over 350 community members provided input.
In the second phase, UVic provided a project update and collected feedback on the proposed design, including building form, transportation features and public realm amenities through stakeholder presentations.
They also held two open houses and an online survey where over 450 community members provided input during the second phase between September to October 2025.
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