How the BYU Idaho Housing Changes are Affecting Students Aged 26+

  Starting Fall 2025, BYU Idaho housing changes are taking effect, what should students do next? Let’s be honest… Finding housing in Rexburg isn’t always easy. And now with BYU-Idaho’s updated housing policy going into effect Fall 2025, many students aged 26 and older are wondering, “What does this mean for me?”  If you're feeling confused or concerned, you're not alone. But don't worry, we're here to walk you through the changes, student-to-student. This guide breaks down the policy update, answers your biggest questions (like what to do if your best friend is younger than age 26), and helps you navigate your next steps with confidence.  Plus, we’ll show you how Find My Place can help you secure off- campus community housing that fits your stage of life and keeps you connected to campus and friends.

What’s Changing at BYUI?

Starting Fall Semester 2025, single, degree-seeking students aged 26 and older will no longer be eligible to live in student-approved housing. Instead, they’ll need to find community housing, which includes any non-approved housing options around Rexburg. Students under 26 can continue living in approved housing as before (unless they’re living with family). BYU-Idaho says the change is designed to:

• Create a more age-appropriate living environment
• Align with local church structure
• Ease the strain on approved housing as enrollment grows
• Give older students housing that better matches their lifestyle

This may feel sudden, but it's meant to improve the housing experience for everyone.

"So... Should I Start Looking for New Housing Right Now?"

If you’re 26 or will be by Fall 2025, the short answer is: yes, start planning now!  Many students have already been told they can’t renew their contracts because of the policy shift. While you don’t have to move immediately (unless your complex requires it), starting your search early means more options and less stress. Community housing offers:

• More privacy (think private rooms or smaller units)
• Greater flexibility in leases
• Housing with peers closer to your age
• Often, more freedom with fewer rules (like curfews)

Find My Place is featured on the BYU-Idaho housing page as a trusted resource. We’ve helped hundreds of students find affordable, well-located community housing that doesn’t feel like a downgrade. It feels like you leveled-up. 

"What If My Best Friend Is 25 and Still in Approved Housing?"

This is one of the trickiest parts of the change. Unfortunately, mixed-age roommates (where one person is 26+ and the other is under 26) won’t be allowed in approved housing after Fall 2025. That means you and your younger friend will need to make a choice:

• Your friend can move with you to community housing (if they're open to it)
• You find new roommates closer to your age, or go solo
• You keep the friendship strong even if you're in different complexes

It’s definitely bittersweet, and you're not the only one feeling it. Many students have built strong communities with roommates of different ages, and change always comes with growing pains. But this also opens the door to new living experiences that might actually feel more “you.”

What Are Other Students Saying?

Students across campus and online have mixed reactions. Some feel frustrated or blindsided: “First they require you to live in approved housing and now they’re kicking you out?” “I’ve made friends with younger roommates… I’m going to miss living with them.” Others see the benefits: “I always thought it was weird when I was a freshman seeing my 18 or even sometimes 17 year old (as I was the first few weeks of my first semester) friends who have 30+year olds living in the same room as them. it's just such a different stage of life.” “When I started school at 24, I was still around the age of most students (ish). But past 26, I wished I could move into regular housing, mainly because I wasn’t enjoying rooming with 19 year olds. If I had had the means to live elsewhere, I know I would’ve 100% done it.” Source: Recent Facebook Post The truth? Both perspectives are valid. This policy is a shift, but it’s also an opportunity for 26+ students to build a community that better reflects their stage of life.

Next Steps: How to Navigate the Transition

If you’re affected by the change, here’s your action plan:

1. Start your housing search now—the best places go fast.
2. Use Find My Place to explore listings with all types of leases, private rooms, and affordable rates.
3. Talk to your friends—see who else is in the same boat and consider living together.
4. Check social media and the Housing & Student Living roommate board for leads.

You’re not being left behind, you’re moving forward into a new season with more independence and better-fit housing options.

Find My Place Is Here for You

We understand this transition can feel overwhelming. That’s why Find My Place is committed to making the move to community housing as smooth and empowering as possible. Whether you want to live alone, with friends, or find someone new to room with, we’ll help you find a place that fits your lifestyle, budget, and goals.