By Cole Sowders
News Editor

On May 17, 2026, the House of Representatives within Congress decisively passed a bill to address the crippling housing situation across America. 

This bill would ban corporate landlords from buying up and owning more than 350 single family homes. 

A shortage of homes across America has driven up the average price to $400,000. Getting more homes on the market would help ease the shortage. The House’s version of the bill would disallow any major landlord group that owns more than 350 homes not be allowed to buy any more single family homes. Which in turn would help solve the rent crisis according to the article posted by NPR.

As housing costs continue to rise across the U.S., many Clackamas Community College students here in Oregon are struggling to afford independent living, with nearly half of Oregon renters spending more than 30% of their income on housing.

Photo of The Mill on Maple apartments. Photo provided by Jacob Graves.

Although Clackamas Community College does not currently offer on-campus housing, the issue has become increasingly relevant as many students continue living with their parents amid rising housing costs.

CCC President Tim Cook has advocated for student housing for years, arguing that on-campus living could help address affordability and accessibility challenges facing students. 

“The college has had conversations for the last several years with potential partners. To date they have not moved forward because the College does not have funding to build the housing and would need a partner to take on that aspect. Thus far the cost of building would make it difficult to keep rents affordable for students so we continue to look for partnerships,” said Cook.

CCC has explored alternative solutions aimed at reducing housing costs for students, though developing projects on college-owned land would require outside grants, funding support and partnerships with community organizations.“Financially it is finding a combination of grants/partners who could make it work on CCC land,” said Cook.

Securing state funding for on-campus housing can be challenging for Oregon community colleges, which often rely on grants, state bonds and community partnerships to finance large scale housing projects.

Oregon administrative rules governing community college capital projects require colleges to provide matching funds for state bond supported developments through local taxes, grants etc. Meaning state funding alone is typically insufficient to finance housing projects aimed for students. 

A report done by The Hechinger Report found that colleges are increasingly relying on nonprofit partnerships and state supported housing programs as alternatives to constructing new dormitories, which can be financially unfeasible for many community colleges.

Student housing is already available at some Oregon community colleges though, including Southwestern Oregon Community College and Central Oregon Community College. COCC’s website states the college currently offers a 320 bed housing facility on campus.

Photo provided by COCC’s website.

COCC opened its 320 bed Wickiup Hall residence facility in 2015 following years of campus planning and investment, demonstrating one model Oregon community colleges can use to address student housing shortages. 

In Oregon, rising housing costs and increasing rent burden have intensified conversations around student housing at colleges and universities statewide. 

The issue has become especially pronounced at Oregon community colleges, where many students commute, work while attending school or support families of their own. According to a statewide survey released by the Oregon Student Association, housing affordability and cost of living ranked the top concerns for students across Oregon higher education institutions. 

Some Oregon colleges and nonprofits have responded by expanding housing assistance programs and exploring alternative housing models. Organizations such as College Housing Northwest have partnered with colleges to provide lower cost housing options for students facing housing instability.

Rising rent prices and inflation are creating financial strain for students CCC, where nearly 50% of renters statewide are considered housing burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing costs.

Rent burden Oregonians graph provided by U.S. Census Bureau

Despite more than half of renter households in Clackamas County being considered rent burdened, many apartment complexes continue offering temporary rent concessions and move-in specials to attract tenants. Several apartment communities near CCC advertise promotional offers aimed at students to help with rising costs.

According to Apartments.com, Timberview Apartments is offering move-in specials aimed at helping offset rising housing costs, including promotions that allow new tenants to avoid paying rent for up to a month and a half. The incentives are designed to make housing more affordable for residents, including students attending nearby CCC.

Photo of Timberview Apartments. Photo provided by Jacob Graves.

Mill on Maple is also offering promotional leasing incentives, according to Aparments.com, potentially providing financial assistance for students navigating rising rent costs near CCC. 

For many students, the cost of housing remains a major concern. This rings true for Vivienne Hodder, who said living on her own is financially out of reach because of rising housing expenses. 

“It’s so expensive otherwise, it’s not really possible to move out by myself,” said Hodder.

Another CCC student, Maly Puth, echoed those concerns, saying the cost of housing makes it difficult for students to afford independent living.

“I would love to live alone in an apartment but I can’t afford it. Roommates are the best option,” said Puth.

As Oregon’s housing affordability crisis continues, colleges statewide may face growing pressure to expand student support services and explore alternative housing solutions. For students at CCC, the issue remains closely connected to the broader cost of pursuing higher education.