Columbia University
OP-T2-35: Local Housing

With a prime location in Manhattan, the location of Columbia in the city is a draw that attracts students to come study and employees to come work at the University. As an urban hub, students faculty and staff desire to live locally on or near campus. The University houses most undergraduate students, tenure track and tenured faculty plus graduate students in its own buildings on or surrounding its campuses. The Housing office at CUMC and the Housing Information and Referral Service, through Columbia’s Office of Work/Life assists faculty, staff, and students who are looking for housing anywhere in the NYC metro area. Most new incoming full-time faculty are eligible to receive University housing that is within walking distance to campus. Roughly 75% of faculty live in Columbia housing and within walking distance to campus. All 60 building superintendents are required to live on campus. Further, the Columbia employment office has a preference to higher employees locally through the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone. When presented with various candidates for employment, the University gives preference to the local (local defined as Upper Manhattan) candidates vs. non-local (other parts of NYC, other locations, etc.). The Housing Information and Referral Service is an initiative of the Office of Work/Life. The service provides individual consultations on renting or purchasing apartments and homes within commuting distance of Columbia University campuses. The service is available to all faculty, including faculty being recruited to the University, and to all other Columbia University employees. Services include: General Real Estate and Housing Information ● Metropolitan New York area overview ● Housing challenges in the New York area ● Neighborhood information for NYC, Westchester, New Jersey and other areas ● Map of local area with rental, co-op and condo building locations ● Definition of real estate terminology ● Issues of buying vs. renting ● Information and contacts for realtors, attorneys, inspectors and other real estate professionals ● Eligibility and requirements, including Dean's approval, for The Provost's Faculty Housing Assistance Program Rental Options ● Landlord and managing agent information ● Lease information ● Tenant information ● Short term and temporary housing options Purchasing Options ● The process of purchasing a property ● Mortgage information and options ● Affinity Lending Program The website URL where information about the incentives or programs is available: http://worklife.columbia.edu/housing-information-referral-service and http://worklife.columbia.edu/faculty-recruitment-relocation