Student housing is a growth sector of Boston's residential market, though it too faces challenges. Find out what lies ahead for the student housing industry at our Boston Higher Ed & Student Housing event on Oct. 20 at The Ritz-Carlton Boston.

Berklee College of Music VP of real estate Bill Whitney, who will be a speaker, tells us Berklee opened the 160 Mass Ave mixed-use building in January 2014, which includes 369 student housing beds, a 450-seat dining facility and performance venue, 10 new recording studios and other music technology facilities, and 4,200 SF of ground-floor restaurant/retail space.

"Following the recent merger of Berklee and the Boston Conservatory, planning is ongoing to define the program and select the site for the next major capital project the merged institution will undertake," Bill says. "While no decisions have been made yet, the development of additional student housing has been identified as a priority."

UMass Building Authority executive director Patricia Filippone, who will also be speaking at the event, says “we plan to welcome our first residential students at UMass Boston in fall 2018 as a result of an innovative public-private partnership. On-campus student housing is central to the success of the campus’ strategic and master plans."

That's because residence halls increase student success and contribute to a more vibrant campus culture, Patricia tells us. "In addition to those and other benefits to UMass Boston, the advent of on-campus student housing will reduce pressure on adjacent neighborhood rental markets.”

Here more from Bill, Patricia and our other experts at our Boston Higher Ed & Student Housing event on Oct. 20, beginning at 7:30am with breakfast and schmoozing at The Ritz-Carlton Boston. Sign up here.