Harvard Planning and Real Estate (HPRE) has announced the approval of the new rent schedule for approximately 1,700 Harvard-owned apartments for graduate students and other University affiliates who reside in Affiliated Housing. The new rents will take effect July 1, when the 1997-98 rental season begins.

The Faculty Advisory Committee on Affiliated Housing has reviewed the comments received from members of the Harvard community and has endorsed the new rents that were proposed in the Harvard University Gazette (Jan. 30, 1997). The overall increase in new rent rates for all affiliated properties will be 3 percent this year. The cap for continuing affiliated residents (not formerly rent control) will also be set at 3 percent. Residents will receive lease renewal packages detailing their specific rent in late March. Continuing residents that were formerly rent control and, therefore, paying rent at below-market rates, will also get a rent increase notice in March. However, the increase is expected to be above the 3 percent average applicable to market rate units, in order to gradually bring the rents to market levels.

ÒAffiliated housing remains an excellent housing choice for affiliates,Ó said Susan Keller, HPREÕs director of residential real estate. ÒAll complexes are conveniently located near the University, offer a broad variety of apartment types and range of rents, and have 24-hour maintenance and emergency service. The usual last month's rent and security deposit are not required from students or from employees who choose the convenience of paying rent through payroll deduction. This year, the choice of apartments open to affiliates is even more extensive, with some complexes available for rent on a two-year lease basis."

Affiliates who are not currently residents of an affiliated apartment who are interested in renting an affiliated apartment in 1997-98 should obtain a copy of the Harvard Affiliated Housing booklet from the Harvard Housing Office at 7 Holyoke St. (call the application request line, 495-3377). This booklet describes the broad range of apartments available at affiliated complexes, provides information on the rental process, and includes sample floor plans, estimated rents, and an application and instructions.