After several months of study, an independent contractor has found that Flathead Valley Community College students have a strong demand for student housing.

At Monday’s board of trustees meeting, the results of the study were revealed and college President Jane Karas detailed what the study included.

“We hired an outside organization to do an analysis of the housing market,” she said. “They gave a summary of that, met with members of the administration, held focus groups, did a financial analysis and an off-campus analysis.”

The results were telling: Flathead Valley Community College students want college housing close to or on campus.

In an electronic survey finished in April, the outside firm found that housing demand was highest among full-time students between 18 and 24 years old. More than 400 students completed the survey.

The rental market in the Flathead Valley is difficult to navigate and expensive, the firm revealed, and typical college-aged students wanted help finding a place to live.

“They did not recommend traditional-style dorms,” Karas said. “They said a better option would be some kind of suite with a kitchenette because there is no 24-hour food service on campus.”

The college now will do an economic analysis to see if housing or dorms would be economically feasible.

Brad Eldredge, the college’s director of institutional research, assessment and planning, was asked by trustees Mark Holston what he thought of the findings.

He said the methodology was proper and he had no qualms with the results.

“Conservatively, we could have the demand to fill 100 units,” Eldredge said.

Board vice chairman John Phelps was adamant that the college take a hard look at finances before any other action.

In the next few months, more analysis could tell whether Flathead Valley Community College will move forward with student housing.

Reporter Ryan Murray may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at rmurray@dailyinterlake.com.