FIRST-year university students will have a difficult time finding accommodation with more than 1500 new enrolments due to arrive, according to Bendigo Property Management director Hunter Gill. “Last week the vacancy rate was at zero,” he said. “Our market has been in short supply for tenants for 10 years or more as Bendigo has grown strongly during this period. We have a very healthy developing city in Bendigo but are struggling to absorb the numbers wishing to live here.“The demand for rental properties is climbing to surprising levels, and it’s going to be very tough for students returning this year.”The ongoing shortage led Bendigo campus director Andrew Skewes to seek government funding to build an additional 200 beds for students. “Our numbers are growing at around seven per cent per annum,” he said. “We will pass 5000 students this year.“With the first stage of construction complete, we are delighted that some of our students are moving into the new accommodation on the Bendigo campus.”Mr Skewes said it was a priority that La Trobe supported all new arrivals and offered adequate accomodation facilities.“It’s not only services the course demands,” he said. “But also putting the infrastructure in place to support this growth. This kind of support will enable success.”The university has also received a grant which will see the construction of a new health sciences building.“We look forward to welcoming more students in stages as the building works continue and expect that construction will be complete by mid-semester one this year,” Mr Skewes said.