More on-campus housing and a prolonged recession have some Tempe apartment complexes struggling to fill vacancies, local apartment managers said.
In 2008, 54 percent of ASU freshmen lived on campus, but only 14 percent of undergraduate students resided in on-campus housing, according to the ASU Institutional Analysis.
These numbers were expected to increase in 2009 after a University push for freshmen to live on campus, said Michael Coakley, associate vice president and executive director of University Housing at ASU, in a statement. Numbers for this year have not yet been released.
Some apartment managers at complexes around the Tempe campus said they have seen a noticeable drop in interested customers since school started this semester.
America Melragon, the resident relationship manager at the Villagio at Tempe apartments near East Rio Salado Parkway and Loop 101, also said she has seen a decrease in leases, especially in the last three weeks.
“There has been a huge decrease in foot traffic through the doors lately,” Melragon said. “It has especially slowed down over the last three weeks.”
Currently, the Villagio is 89 percent full, down 5 percent from this time last year, Melragon said.
The student population at the Villagio is currently at 5 percent which is a decrease from last year, she said.
"I think it has to do with the economy," Melragon said.
There are a lot of people who are interested in living at the Villagio, but they donít have jobs or ways of supporting themselves, she said.
The Villagio is turning to social networking Web sites such as Facebook and MySpace to try and reach out to current and potential residents and appeal to college-aged renters, Melragon said.
"We've seen a lot of people renting homes instead of renting apartments," Melragon said. "And some people are doubling up with people or moving back in with their families."
Some Villagio residents who have lived at the apartment complex for multiple years have been forced to move because they can't keep up with payments, she said.
Kimberly Moody, a leasing manager at Apache Station, an apartment complex located at East Apache Boulevard and Loop 101, said Apache Station hasn't seen as many vacancies as other apartments.
Currently Apache Station is at 88 percent capacity, which is an increase of 20 percent since last year, she said.
Moody said this dramatic increase could partially be due to the complexís ideal location close to the light rail, which has substantially improved business.
"The light rail has definitely increased the amount of people living here," Moody said.
Due to the light rail opening last December, this is the first year the number of leases has substantially increased, she said.
Managers at Apache Station are trying to promote business by waiving application fees, giving concessions and also lowering rates, Moody said.
The apartment is working to reach 95 percent capacity by the end of the year by promoting and giving discounts to current and potential residents, she said.
Reach the reporter at paige.soucie@asu.edu.
