Boston real estate leader Anwar Faisal is encouraging communities in Boston, MA, to help international and domestic students navigate rising housing challenges through education, local support, and stronger community involvement.
BOSTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / June 3, 2026 / Real estate entrepreneur and Alpha Management Corporation owner Anwar Faisal is speaking out about the growing challenges students face when searching for housing in Boston, particularly international students adjusting to life in the United States for the first time.
After more than 40 years in Boston real estate, Faisal says the conversation around student housing needs to focus more on accessibility, guidance, and community support rather than just rising rental prices.
“Students are arriving in a new city, and sometimes a new country, without understanding how the housing system works,” said Faisal. “They need information, support, and people willing to help them through the process.”
Boston remains one of the largest student markets in the country. According to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, the city and surrounding area are home to more than 250,000 college and university students each year. At the same time, housing costs in Boston continue to rank among the highest in the United States.
A 2025 report from Zillow found that Boston rental prices remain significantly above the national average, adding pressure on students and families already managing tuition and living expenses.
Faisal says international students often face even greater challenges because they may be unfamiliar with local rental systems, transportation, lease agreements, and neighborhood options.
“When I first came to America, I understood how difficult it can feel to start over somewhere new,” Faisal said. “That experience stayed with me throughout my career.”
Born in the Gaza Strip, Palestine, Faisal later graduated from Ain Shams University in Egypt before beginning his career in Saudi Arabia’s construction industry. He moved to the United States to continue his education and earned a master’s degree in communications from Boston University in 1983.
Just one year later, he purchased his first property, a small one-bedroom apartment measuring 590 square feet. That investment eventually grew into Alpha Management Corporation, which now oversees thousands of residential units throughout Greater Boston, many of which are near major universities.
For decades, Faisal has focused heavily on housing for domestic and international students.
“You have to understand that housing affects education,” he said. “When students feel stable and supported, they can focus on learning and building their future.”
Faisal is now encouraging local residents, landlords, universities, and community organizations to take a more active role in helping students transition successfully into Boston life.
He says people can help by:
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Educating students about tenant rights and rental expectations
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Supporting local mentorship and community programs
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Helping newcomers understand transportation and neighborhoods
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Encouraging respectful communication between landlords and tenants
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Supporting organizations that provide educational and cultural resources
“Not every solution has to come from policy,” Faisal said. “Sometimes helping people starts with simple guidance and treating others with respect.”
Beyond real estate, Faisal has spent years supporting charitable and educational causes throughout the Boston area. He donates one-third of his income to charitable organizations and has funded the construction of two mosques in Brighton that serve the Islamic community.
He also supports The Boston Islamic Seminary, The Palestinian Cultural Center for Peace, the Allston Civic Association, and a number ot schools, hospitals, and other community-focused initiatives.
Faisal believes stronger communities are built through long-term investment in people, not just properties.
“You build trust one relationship at a time,” he said. “That applies in business and in life.”
As conversations around housing continue nationwide, Faisal hopes more attention will be given to the human side of student housing and to the challenges many young people face as they build their futures.
About Anwar Faisal
Anwar Faisal is a Boston-based real estate entrepreneur, philanthropist, and owner of Alpha Management Corporation. Originally from the Gaza Strip, Palestine, Faisal built a large residential real estate portfolio throughout Greater Boston after purchasing his first property in 1984. For more than three decades, he has focused on helping domestic and international students secure housing near Boston universities while also supporting charitable, educational, and community organizations throughout the region.
Media Contact
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SOURCE: Anwar Faisal
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