Historical April–May 2017 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
“Studentification” occurs when a neighborhood proximate to a university turns into a student dormitory. For the past year, a small ad hoc group of long term residents has been exploring housing issues in Skinker DeBaliviere. One of the key issues examined is the proliferation of single family homes bought by investors and rented to undergraduates. Municipal law calls for no more than 3 unrelated adults to occupy a dwelling unit.
These investors sometimes violate this law to maximize their profits.
A number rent from $500-$600 per bedroom.
They advertise on sites such as Zillow and offer to find roommates.
The effect on our neighborhood is startling.
On the 58 and 5900 blocks of Pershing, there are 22 single family homes occupied by students.
On 5900 Waterman there are 8. Speculators also purchased a large home on 6100 McPherson and it now has 6 undergraduate residents.
The group that has documented this problem is now working with the SDCC Residential Committee, Washington University, and city agencies to attempt to attenuate this neighborhood takeover and maintain Skinker DeBaliviere as the diverse and stable neighborhood it has become and should be.
If you have comments on this issue, please contact the TIMES via our website.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, April–May 2017.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2017_04.pdf, printed page(s) 6; PDF page(s) 6.
