Boston, Colleges Agree To Fight Overcrowding

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh says more than 20 colleges and universities in the city have for the most part agreed to disclose the addresses of students living off campus, a move he says will combat apartment overcrowding that imperils student welfare.

Walsh says "not one college pushed back" after he emerged from a closed-door meeting Tuesday with representatives of the colleges, which included Boston University, Boston College and Northeastern University.

Walsh says the information is essential so the city can identify overcrowded apartments and protect the health and safety of the residents.

The meeting came after The Boston Globe uncovered widespread instances of students living in apartments infested with rats and bedbugs, with non-working smoke detectors, and with illegal bedrooms.

Boston College representatives express concern about student privacy issues.