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HB 1762

Prohibiting institutions of higher education from requiring students to live on campus.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by April Berg and 9 co-sponsors

Washington bill eliminates mandatory on-campus housing requirements at universities, reducing student costs but potentially cutting institutional revenue and residential programming.

Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the House Committee on Postsecondary Education & Workforce at 1:30 PM.
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Bill Summary · HB 1762

Legislative bill overview

HB 1762 would prohibit Washington's institutions of higher education from requiring students to live in campus housing as a condition of enrollment or continued attendance. The bill removes mandatory on-campus residency policies that some colleges currently enforce, particularly for first-year or full-time students.

Why is this important

On-campus housing requirements directly affect student finances, as residential housing typically costs $12,000-$18,000 annually and represents a significant barrier for low-income students who could live with family or find cheaper alternatives. This policy impacts institutional revenue models, since colleges rely on housing fees to fund residential operations, and affects campus community dynamics that universities argue support student retention and engagement.

Potential points of contention

  • Revenue and operations: Colleges depend on mandatory housing to fill residence halls and fund residential life programs; reduced occupancy could force fee increases for remaining residents or service cuts
  • Student outcomes data: Research is mixed on whether mandatory housing genuinely improves retention and academic performance or simply reflects selection bias among students who can afford it
  • Equity vs. institutional autonomy: While the bill addresses cost barriers for economically disadvantaged students, it limits institutional discretion in designing student experience and community-building strategies
  • Implementation details: The bill lacks clarity on transition timelines, whether it applies retroactively to existing contracts, or how it handles specialized housing (honors colleges, learning communities)

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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