Eligible undergraduates can request off-campus, apartment-style housing from Harvard University Housing (HUH).
About Harvard University Housing (HUH)
Harvard University Housing (HUH) is a separate office. They offer apartment-style, off-campus housing to the greater Harvard community as opposed to exclusively serving the College.
All HUH units are considered “off-campus” housing regardless of how physically near campus they are.
Students that want to return to on-campus housing can make this request in the Residential Portal. (You must apply by a deadline each term to be guaranteed space in their House.)
Lottery Housing
Each spring, a large number of HUH apartments become available to rent. To manage requests equitably, HUH runs a Housing Lottery.
Non-Lottery Housing
HUH also has some non-lottery housing units that become available throughout the year. These units are posted on their website.
Eligibility
While the HUH lottery is for graduate students, eligible undergraduates can also apply with permission from the College. This includes:
- Military veterans
- Married undergraduates who intend to live with their spouse
- Undergraduates with custody of children
Important: Due to logistics and timing, incoming first-year students are not eligible to apply.
Quick Tip: For centuries, Harvard students have served our country. Visit the Dean of Students Office’s Military Affiliates webpage to learn about student perspectives and resources.
How to Enter the Lottery
- Contact Us
We will write a letter on your behalf to notify HUH you are eligible to enter their lottery.
- If applying as a married student, we ask for a copy of your Marriage certificate or license – or a letter from your officiant if the wedding is in the future.
- If applying as a military veteran, speak with the Program Manager for Military Student Services before applying to live off-campus.
- If applying as a married student, we ask for a copy of your Marriage certificate or license – or a letter from your officiant if the wedding is in the future.
- Enter the HUH Lottery
Once approved to enter the lottery, you will follow HUH’s instructions to enter their lottery. The best time to enter the apartment lottery is between March 1 and May 1 when available inventory is at its highest, although units are leased all year.