Two weeks into the fall semester may seem early to begin thinking about signing housing contracts for the following fall, but it’s a reality students are facing.

It’s no secret that housing in Ames is becoming harder to secure for students looking to live both on and off campus. Students are being forced to start searching for housing earlier than ever.

Ben Wichtendahl, Leasing Coordinator for Campustown Property Management, said students were coming in just two weeks after classes began this fall to sign leases for next year.

“You have to think faster,” Wichtendal said.

Campustown, which offers 1,217 beds to tenants each year, hasn’t had trouble filling housing contracts. Due to such the large demand for available living space, Campustown has sent out renewal notices to their tenants with deadlines in December. Early winter renewal deadlines such as Campustown’s have become common for rental companies in Ames.

The housing shortage is not only a problem for off-campus students.

In 2005 on-campus housing at Iowa State was at a record low for occupancy with only 7,909 students. This fall 12,237 students are living on campus, breaking the all-time high set in 1985.

“The rate of occupancy is growing faster than the growing rate of enrollment,” said Brittney Rutherford, marketing coordinator for the Iowa State University Department of Residence.

This is due to an increased number of students choosing to return to on-campus housing in recent years, she said.

In order to accommodate students wishing to live on campus, the Department of Residence has leased properties in Ames including Legacy Tower and the Maricopa-Walton complex. These additions added 1,060 bed spaces available to students. However, it hasn’t quelled student frustrations.

“There’s just not enough housing at Iowa State,” said Bailey Banger, sophomore in event management.

In order to secure housing, both Rutherford and Wichtendal suggest that students be decisive in the experience they want to have and be proactive in renewing or signing new leases. Rutherford said Iowa State and the Department of Residence can accommodate most experiences that a student wants to have from dorm life to apartment style living.

The biggest tip for students as a whole is to pay attention to renewal dates. The Department of Residence begins recontracting December 8th with a March 1st deadline. However, all university apartments, such as Fredericksen Court, have a deadline of Jan. 30 in order to secure a student’s current room.

All residence halls have a Feb. 13 deadline. In order to secure the room or apartment that one wants, Rutherford suggests contracting as early as possible.

“I woke up before 6 a.m. to apply for housing,” said Celsey Moody, junior in animal science, in reference to registering for housing for her sophomore year. Moody said that students wishing to live off-campus should research where the closest bus stop to their desired residence is.

As the fall semester winds to a close, housing needs for next year should not go unattended. Paying close attention to renewal dates or watching for notices from lessors is paramount in continuing to enjoy one’s adventure at Iowa State.