Harvard University Housing

For students interested in off campus apartments without having to comb through craigslist or hire a realtor, Harvard University Housing (HUH) offers nearly 3,000 University-owned and -operated apartments throughout Cambridge, Somerville, and Boston. Most apartments operate on a fixed-term lease at market rate rents and include all utilities. Unlike on-campus housing, spouses, domestic partners, children, parents, and siblings are allowed to live in HUH apartments. 

HLS Graduate Student Block

Since they are the two closest HUH buildings, many of the HLS students who live in HU Housing select Terry Terrace and 29 Garden Street. To support this option, HLS partners with HUH to reserve the HLS Graduate Student Block – a number of apartments in each of these complexes are available exclusively to HLS students. The HLS blocks are owned and operated by HUH, not Harvard Law School. For a better idea of the housing options available to you, please view the housing org chart. Of course, HLS students are welcome to live in any of the HU Housing properties. Please note rooms in the HLS Graduate Student Block cannot be shared with a non-HLS Harvard Affiliate.

How It Works

The application process is the same whether you are interested in the HLS Graduate Student Block or you would prefer another HUH apartment. In either case, you begin by submitting an online application. if you apply during the main application season (March 1 - May 1) you will be assigned to specific View and Select windows. The View and Select period runs from the beginning of May through early June. This is when the general HUH inventory is largest. Note: families with children (documentation required) are given priority and will be assigned to the first View and Select window, where HLS block apartments will be available.

Additionally, all approved applicants have the option of selecting from HU Housing’s Currently Available list at any time. 

Note to students interested in living in the HLS block: After the first View and Select window closes, students do not need to wait for their assigned View and Select window to apply for block rooms on Terry Terrace and/or 29 Garden St. Once the first View and Select window closes, all block rooms in Terry Terrace and 29 Garden St get moved to the "Currently Available" list on May 10, 2012. On this date, all the remaining HLS block apartments in Terry Terrace and 29 Garden St can be chosen by any HLS student regardless of their assigned View and Select window. 

Please click here to learn more about how the application and selection processes work.

Special Options

HUH offers a number of non-smoking units, furnished units, and pet-friendly units (breed and weight restrictions apply). Please click here for more information about these special housing options. In addition, all apartments in 10 Akron Street , 5 Cowperthwaite Street , and Peabody Terrace are part of the Graduate Commons Program.

Roommates

HUH has a self-service roommate listing web site, called the HUH Roommate Center which can help you find another Harvard affiliate with whom to share an apartment. It is possible to add a roommate later, but the process is more complicated and you will bear the full cost of the apartment until you have a roommate and their lease has been signed.

Still have questions?

Questions regarding the HLS Graduate Student Block should be directed to Hayley Brown, Housing Administrator in the HLS Dean of Students Office, by emailing housing@law.harvard.edu or by calling 617.496.6054.

Questions regarding the Harvard University Housing apartment application and selection processes should be directed to HUH by emailing huhousing@harvard.edu or calling 617.495.3377 / 800.252.5020.