Emergency Housing

Short-Term Emergency Housing Program (STEHP)

Program Overview:

The Short-Term Emergency Housing program (STEHP) is a collaboration between the Office of Student Assistance and Support Services and Housing and Residence Life. STEHP seeks to assist students with temporary on-campus housing who have been unexpectedly displaced from their home/apartment or have experienced a crisis that has caused a significant change in a student’s housing status. The STEHP is not a substitute for long-term student housing needs.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • The student must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree-seeking program at UNC Charlotte.
  • The student must be taking classes in the current semester at the time of the request (requests are not accepted when classes are not in session).
  • The student must demonstrate in good faith that they have exhausted all financial aid options.
  • The student must be able to demonstrate their unexpected emergency or crisis. Supporting documentation of the emergency or crisis will be required.

The eligibility of a student’s circumstances for participation in the STEHP will be determined on a case-by-case basis by staff in the Office of Student Assistance and Support Services (SASS). If you have questions about the eligibility of your current circumstance, please contact us. 

Some common examples of circumstances that may qualify for STEHP placement include, but are not limited to:

  • Significant house/apartment fire, flood, or other such destruction of property resulting in displacement
  • Impacts from domestic violence or interpersonal misconduct
  • Immediate/unexpected eviction without notice
  • In all circumstances involving an off-campus apartment lease issue, students are strongly encouraged to consult with Student Legal Services for guidance
  • Other unexpected crises or emergencies, as determined by the SASS Office

Other Considerations:

A gap between the end of one housing contract/lease and another contract/lease does not constitute an unexpected emergency situation that qualifies for STEHP. Be mindful of the end date of your current lease/contract and the start date of your upcoming lease/contract. SASS will not provide emergency housing for these gaps, as these are expected circumstances. Students are expected to plan ahead to make arrangements for such gaps in housing. 

STEHP cannot be requested in advance of the term during which the student will need housing. Students are expected to make permanent, long-term living arrangements prior to their arrival each term/year. STEHP will not be granted to students who have not secured a permanent long-term housing arrangement at the start of the semester. 

STEHP Cost:

$25.00 per night. If a student damages the space, they will be responsible for any additional fees or charges incurred.

Note: A student without a valid parking permit will need to contact Parking and Transportation Services at 704-687-0161 about purchasing a parking permit at the cost of $8.00 per day. Students will be responsible for all associated cost/fines for not following established parking guidelines and parking in prohibited parking lots at UNC Charlotte.

STEHP Restrictions:

  • Pets are not allowed. Students are responsible for making necessary arrangements if they are a pet owner.
  • Dependents are not allowed.
  • If approved for STEHP, students may stay for a maximum of up to 60 days.
  • Students who are approved to stay in the short-term emergency housing must abide by all University and Housing and Residence Life rules and regulations. Any violation of University or Housing rules will result in a referral to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Resolution or removal from Housing and Residence Life.

How to Request STEHP:

The Student Assistance and Support Services Office takes requests for emergency housing via email. Students should send an email to studentsupport@charlotte.edu from their UNC Charlotte email address with a detailed description of their current emergency, justification for their request for emergency housing, as well as any relevant documentation. Students may be asked to attend a subsequent appointment with a staff member to further discuss their circumstances (in-person, video, or phone appointment options are available). While our office tries to work quickly to address these situations, students are not guaranteed same-day move-in and are encouraged to consider other temporary options (hotel reservations, staying with friends/family, etc.) in the meantime if immediate same-day accommodations are needed.