The University of South Carolina Upstate has named Housr its official off-campus housing and living partner, providing students with a free digital platform to explore housing options, connect with potential roommates and access discounts from local and national businesses.
Through the partnership, USC Upstate students can download the Housr app at no cost and access several resources in one place, including off-campus housing listings in and around Spartanburg, roommate matching through Housr’s Roomie feature and student discounts through Housr Perks.
USC Upstate is Housr’s first university partner in South Carolina and the Southeast.
The partnership comes as USC Upstate continues to experience enrollment growth. The university welcomed 5,442 students for fall 2026, a 7.7% increase over the previous year. Undergraduate enrollment increased 6.9%, while graduate enrollment grew 17%.
“This growth demonstrates the continued demand for a USC Upstate education,” said Donette Stewart, vice chancellor for enrollment services.
With more than 5,400 students, USC Upstate serves a student population that lives both on and off campus. The university’s Housing and Residential Life program offers residence hall and apartment-style options, including Magnolia House, Palmetto House and The Villas. However, many Spartans live in the surrounding Spartanburg community and throughout the Upstate.
Housr is designed to complement the university’s existing residential housing program while providing additional resources for students navigating off-campus living. Students can explore the platform at their own pace, whether they are looking for potential roommates, researching housing options or preparing for a future lease.
“We’re pleased to offer students another resource as they navigate their college experience and explore living options in the Spartanburg community,” said Chancellor Bennie Harris. “This partnership also provides an opportunity to strengthen connections between our students and the local businesses and communities that help make the Upstate a great place to live and learn.”
Through Housr, students can access several features:
- Student discounts: Housr Perks connects students with offers from Spartanburg businesses and national brands.
- Roommate matching: Roomie helps students connect with other USC Upstate students who may be looking for roommates.
- Off-campus housing listings: Students can browse properties and rental listings in Spartanburg and the surrounding Upstate.
- Property communication: Students can schedule property tours, communicate with landlords and submit maintenance requests through the app.
- Family Service: Parents and family members can access a separate view to follow along with the housing search.
The platform also provides USC Upstate’s Housing and Residential Life team with access to a University Portal that offers insight into off-campus housing trends, student housing status, occupancy information and reported property concerns.
In addition to housing resources, the partnership is intended to help students build connections beyond campus. Through Housr Perks, participating Spartanburg businesses can share student discounts and promote events to the USC Upstate community, providing additional opportunities for Spartans to explore the local area.
Housr was founded in 2021 at the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom to help students navigate the off-campus housing process. The company has since expanded its university partnerships into the United States, including the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the University of Oklahoma, Webster University and Creighton University.
The Housr platform is free for USC Upstate students and the university. Participating property operators and local businesses support the platform.
USC Upstate students can download Housr through the Apple App Store or Google Play, or visit housr.com to learn more.
USC Upstate does not endorse individual properties, landlords, real estate agents or businesses listed through Housr. Listings and participating businesses are managed by Housr.