Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Marshall University students are facing housing uncertainty after six privately owned homes near campus were ordered vacated because of safety concerns.
The homes along Fifth Avenue, often known as Frat Row, include three fraternity houses and three non-Greek-affiliated residences. Marshall University said city and fire officials found structural, fire safety and electrical concerns during recent inspections.
Students cannot stay in the homes overnight and have five days to remove their belongings during daytime hours under the city’s emergency order.
University officials estimated about 30 fraternity members will need new housing and efforts to identify students who lived in the other three homes remains ongoing.
Some students questioned why the concerns were raised now, saying the homes have been occupied in similar condition for years.
“I just feel like the houses have pretty much been in the same condition for the last two or four years,” one Marshall student said. “I’m a senior, so I don’t know why nothing was done on the last inspection, but now everybody’s getting kicked out of their houses.”
Vice president of student affairs Marcie Simms said the city, not the university, sets and enforces the code requirements for the properties. She said fire and building standards can change and that homes with more than five residents fall under different requirements than single-family homes.
Simms said the university hopes property owners can make repairs, but it is preparing longer-term housing options if students cannot return.
“Our hope always is that the landlord corrects these and we get them back in those spaces,” Simms said. “But we want to prepare if that’s not the case.”
The university is working to provide temporary housing, including possible hotel space and available on-campus housing, but many remain worried about what happens after that, as well as questions about moving in the midst of classes, storing belongings, and commuting to campus.
“They don’t have anywhere to call home,” Marshall student Olivia Brown said. “Marshall is trying to figure it out, but there’s not enough answers for all the questions they have.”
Marshall officials said the closures are a housing and safety issue, not a move away from Greek life. Still, students say the disruption reaches beyond the residents, affecting events, student organizations and academics.
The city of Huntington said it is working with property owners to address conditions at the homes. It is not yet clear when, or if, students will be allowed to move back in.
FULL STORY: wchstv.com/news/local/fraternity-houses-among-six-homes-ordered-vacated-near-marshall-university
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Marshall University students are facing housing uncertainty after six privately owned homes near campus were ordered vacated because of safety concerns.
The homes along Fifth Avenue, often known as Frat Row, include three fraternity houses and three non-Greek-affiliated residences. Marshall University said city and fire officials found structural, fire safety and electrical concerns during recent inspections.
Students cannot stay in the homes overnight and have five days to remove their belongings during daytime hours under the city’s emergency order.
University officials estimated about 30 fraternity members will need new housing and efforts to identify students who lived in the other three homes remains ongoing.
Some students questioned why the concerns were raised now, saying the homes have been occupied in similar condition for years.
“I just feel like the houses have pretty much been in the same condition for the last two or four years,” one Marshall student said. “I’m a senior, so I don’t know why nothing was done on the last inspection, but now everybody’s getting kicked out of their houses.”
Vice president of student affairs Marcie Simms said the city, not the university, sets and enforces the code requirements for the properties. She said fire and building standards can change and that homes with more than five residents fall under different requirements than single-family homes.
Simms said the university hopes property owners can make repairs, but it is preparing longer-term housing options if students cannot return.
“Our hope always is that the landlord corrects these and we get them back in those spaces,” Simms said. “But we want to prepare if that’s not the case.”
The university is working to provide temporary housing, including possible hotel space and available on-campus housing, but many remain worried about what happens after that, as well as questions about moving in the midst of classes, storing belongings, and commuting to campus.
“They don’t have anywhere to call home,” Marshall student Olivia Brown said. “Marshall is trying to figure it out, but there’s not enough answers for all the questions they have.”
Marshall officials said the closures are a housing and safety issue, not a move away from Greek life. Still, students say the disruption reaches beyond the residents, affecting events, student organizations and academics.
The city of Huntington said it is working with property owners to address conditions at the homes. It is not yet clear when, or if, students will be allowed to move back in.
FULL STORY: wchstv.com/news/local/fraternity-houses-among-six-homes-ordered-vacated-near-marshall-university
_________________________________________
Follow WCHS on social media:
Facebook: facebook.com/eyewitnessnewscharleston
Twitter: twitter.com/wchs8fox11
Instagram: instagram.com/wchs8fox11
For the latest local and national news, visit our website: wchstv.com
Sign up for our newsletter: wchstv.com/sign-up
