With the fall semester fast approaching, colleges and universities are preparing to welcome students back to campus while adhering to the latest guidance from health officials. This is a challenge not only in classrooms and lecture halls, but also dormitories that may not be conducive to social distancing. Taylor Johnson client CA , a global leader in purpose-built student accommodations, is among the firms filling the housing void with pedestrian-oriented communities in campus-adjacent locations. Knowing media would be interested in how private, off-campus developments have pivoted in response to COVID-19, we connected Michael Hales, president of CA’s student living division, with Forbes.com. In the resulting story , Michael explained why a housing model that was popular before the pandemic is especially desirable now as students and parents adjust to the new normal.

At CA student housing communities like HERE State College, residents live in fully furnished residences that include private bedrooms and bathrooms – a model that allows for social distancing.