Frequently Asked Housing Questions

BCIT Student Housing will remain open and committed to providing safe and supportive on campus accommodation to students.

Yes. As part of our updated procedures and to support in-suite physical distancing, BCIT Housing will be reducing occupancy for the Fall 2020 term.

The health and safety of our community remains our top priority. As such, we have pivoted the services and supports we provide to meet the guidelines put forward by WorksafeBC, BCCDC, and the Public Health Authority.  These changes include:

• Physical Distancing
  • Reduction in overall occupancy in all suites
  • Maximum occupancy of common spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms and living rooms
  • Designation of every exterior door as entry or exits
• Guest Policy
  • Guest policy has been revoked to reduce risk to the community. Only residents assigned to the suite are permitted to enter. This will include check in and check out.
• Shared Spaces
  • Reducing all shared spaces by assigning all fridges, cupboards, drawers, showers and bathrooms and removing all in suite storage.
  • Housing lounge is closed and vending machines are unavailable.
• Programming and Events
  • The Housing team is also working to adapt and offer online events, orientation and resources. We are not offering in-person events or programs at this time.
• Enhanced Cleaning Protocols
  • Suites are cleaned daily with touch points cleaned at least twice daily. Residents are also asked to sanitize each common surface after use.
  • Hand sanitizer and hand soap will be available throughout suites.
• Contactless Services
  • All Housing forms have been made paperless
  • Laundry machines are currently available at no cost to eliminate the need for coins.
  • Parcel pick up is contactless as parcels are now delivered directly to suites.
• Maintenance Requests
  • Only urgent and necessary maintenance requests are being completed in suites.

BCIT Student Housing keeps a waitlist of housing applicants. As rooms become available due to cancellations or residents moving out, we offer these rooms to waitlisted applicants. We also recommend that you check with your program to understand your program requirement to be on-campus for the Fall 2020 term. It is possible that you can complete the Fall term of your program completely online from your current location. If you would like to live in the lower mainland please refer to our off-campus housing resources.

You will be able to reapply for Student Housing for the Winter 2021 term by contacting housing@bcit.ca. While some rooms usually become vacant for the Winter term, they will be limited and offers will be subject to room availability.

Yes, if you are in a long-term program longer than 12 weeks, you can apply for Winter 2021 housing now. BCIT has not yet announced an update on program delivery plans for the Winter 2021 term. Should your program delivery remain online, and you do not require housing, you will be able to cancel your application.

The Government of Canada has implemented an Emergency Order under the Quarantine Act that requires persons entering Canada—whether by air, sea or land—to quarantine (self-isolate) themselves for 14 days if they are asymptomatic in order to limit the introduction and spread of COVID-19. The 14-day period begins on the day the person enters Canada. If you are arriving to BC from outside of Canada, you are required to complete your self-isolation requirement prior to checking into BCIT Student Housing. We are unable to provide self-isolation spaces prior to your move-in date. If it is not possible for you to meet that requirement prior to check-in, please contact housing@bcit.ca for further information. Due to our unique build and group living environment, self-isolation spaces in Housing are limited.

No, the Housing Office does not offer meal plans. However, each suite is equipped with a kitchen including four refrigerators, two stoves, a microwave, and a toaster. Students are encouraged to bring their own cookware and utensils to prepare their own meals as each suite is equipped with a full-sized kitchen.

Your BCIT Student Housing contract is a month to month contract. This means you need to give one month’s notice, on the first day of a month, if you are going to vacate your room.

You can only live on-campus if you are attending classes full time. If you drop out or fail you will be required to move out. In this case you would not have to give one month’s notice to vacate.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, all personal items must be stored in bedrooms including bikes. There are bike lockers available at recreation services that can also be used to store bikes.

Students in the International Student Exchange Program assessed at a level 5 or 6 will be eligible to apply to live on-campus. If you have been accepted to be a part of the Exchange program, information on how to apply for a room at BCIT Student Housing will be made available through your corresponding program coordinator. Only those selected to stay on-campus with be sent an application form from the Housing Office.

Another exciting option is homestay accommodation – in other words, living with a Canadian family while studying at BCIT. It’s an opportunity to experience Canadian family life and traditions, improve your English skills, and make connections. For more information on homestay opportunities, visit LV Homestay.

Part time students are not eligible for on-campus housing.

At this time BCIT does not offer any family housing. All on-campus housing options are single-occupancy bedrooms in shared suites.