The U.S. Human Rights Cities Alliance and Pittsburgh Human Rights Working Group hosted an event on Thursday, which focused on addressing housing challenges in urban areas and the importance of classifying housing as a human right.

Even though North, South and Central Oakland are close to campus and have an abundance of housing, not every Pitt student who chooses to live off campus finds themselves living in these neighborhoods. Some students choose to live in other neighborhoods around Pittsburgh such as Squirrel Hill and Shadyside because of finances, comfort with the area and the availability of housing.

For Emma Krapels, Pitt’s COVID-19 quarantine housing made her sicker than before she entered, but not from coronavirus. Krapels — who has celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder where eating gluten causes damage to the small intestine — said she suspects she was given gluten on Sept. 17 while in the housing, causing her to “vomit profusely.”

Pitt is requiring all students, including those who live off campus, to complete a 14-day shelter-in-place period before attending in-person classes.

Chancellor Patrick Gallagher announced last week that Pitt was shifting to online classes indefinitely in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, followed by a request the next day that students not return to their University housing after spring break, if possible. Despite Pitt’s decision to issue partial room and board refunds to those who move out before April 4, there are still students determined to stay. 

Pitt students have launched Pitt Mutual Aid, a resource for students and community members who face various forms of insecurity from stipulations of the coronavirus outbreak.

Pitt is requesting all students move out of residence halls, but students can request an extension to stay on campus. Pitt will evaluate travel issues, co-op standing, campus employment, financial hardship and personal safety for each case

The demand for on-campus housing options has grown alongside Pitt’s student population, with many turning to off-campus housing or rooming at third-party locations with Pitt-owned leases like the Wyndham and The Bridge apartments.

Facebook’s groups feature has become a way to connect people with similar interests or goals.

House and apartment hunting in Oakland leaves many students on the fence about where they’re going to reside the following school year — especially since the neighborhood has come to offer a narrow selection of decent student housing opportunities at this time of the year.