On November 14, President Daniel Noboa announced the launch of the “Casa U” university housing program. The initiative, presented at the Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo (Espoch), aims to provide free housing for students attending public higher education institutions in Ecuador.
“The democratization of progress and higher education is to give as many opportunities as possible to as many young people as possible and reduce living costs for all families,” said President Noboa during the announcement. He explained that the government will build university residences at nine public institutions across the country. The goal is to prevent students from dropping out due to a lack of housing or inability to afford living expenses.
The program also targets young people from areas affected by violence or who are in vulnerable situations, using education as a tool for development.
Roberto Luque, Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, noted that financial difficulties related to housing, food, and transportation contribute significantly to student dropout rates. “This government, under President Noboa’s leadership, is promoting this important initiative so that no young person leaves their studies because they have nowhere to live,” said Luque.
Luque announced that Espoch will be the first university to host a Casa U residence with capacity for 700 students. The Universidad Técnica de Babahoyo and Universidad Estatal Península de Santa Elena will also participate in this initial phase. Each building requires an investment of about USD 3 million and includes up to four floors with modern safety features. Facilities include 118 double rooms per building, communal spaces, bathrooms, laundry areas, dining halls, and meeting areas designed for a safe and supportive student community.
“In MIT we have contributed with architectural design, residence typology, and urban planning under strict sustainable construction criteria so that construction can proceed quickly,” Luque stated. In the first phase alone, more than 4,000 students are expected to benefit from Casa U. “This is a human project that will accompany young people on their academic journey; it is a dignified space where they can live while building their future,” he added.
Gustavo Ayala, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, emphasized that improving access and retention in higher education is central to this initiative. “We want these residences to be their second home; we want them to have a life experience where they feel protected and develop their life projects,” Ayala said.
He also mentioned clear criteria for selecting universities: high budget execution rates, proven resource management efficiency, and large numbers of students from other provinces.
Technical studies have prioritized nine universities across Costa, Sierra, and Oriente regions for implementation. The central government will allocate funds only after selected institutions submit plans meeting established requirements for managing these residences.
With this policy shift toward inclusive support systems in higher education infrastructure—led by multiple ministries—the Ecuadorian government reiterates its commitment to educational development through competitive university environments.
