After reading the recent story about SUNY Delhi’s housing situation, along with the social media post encouraging local landlords to list available rentals, I felt compelled to put some of the puzzle pieces together.
In 1992, SUNY Delhi owned 7 Main Street, which was known as the “Off-Campus Housing – Main Street Apartments.” Shortly thereafter, the property was sold and converted into senior housing, which is what exists at that location today. This history is important because it shows that the college once maintained additional housing capacity within the village itself.
In 2019, I became aware of local students who applied to SUNY Delhi but were not admitted. Around that same time, SUNY Delhi staff mentioned to me that the college was experiencing low enrollment. When I shared that I personally knew strong students including high honor-roll students who had not been accepted, staff asked whether I would be willing to speak with members of the administration. I agreed and provided my contact information. I later received a call and voicemail, returned the call, and left a message, but never received a follow-up.
I also recognize that SUNY Delhi has historically made efforts to accommodate students experiencing homelessness during academic breaks and the summer months. However last year a student posted that they were urgently seeking a room after losing their on-campus housing. When I asked what had happened, the student explained that SUNY Delhi had purchased their room back and encouraged them to seek off-campus housing instead. From the outside, this appears to be a financial decision.
At the same time, I know several SUNY Delhi students who rent locally. After moving into off-campus apartments, some have had to clean extensively and even rent trucks to haul away large amounts of trash left behind because the units were in extremely poor condition. When someone urgently needs housing, they often feel they have little choice but to handle these situations themselves rather than risk conflict with a landlord.
All of this feels especially concerning in 2026. Many universities now operate fully online programs, and SUNY Delhi itself offers numerous online courses, demonstrating that the institution understands and utilizes flexible learning models. As someone who has experienced multiple university settings throughout my lifetime, I can say honestly that traditional lecture formats are not always engaging for many students. Anyone who looks around a lecture hall, even before modern technology, can see students mentally checking out.
SUNY Delhi should address its internal housing challenges rather than shifting the burden onto the local community and already limited housing market.
Dotti Howe
Hamden
