LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) -- University of Louisiana at Lafayette is experiencing a "record-breaking demand for housing."

The University does not have enough on-campus housing for students, causing them to contract with two hotels in Lafayette for students to live in this fall.

The hotels will function as extensions of on-campus residence halls, which will be fully occupied by students and managed, supervised and secured by UL Lafayette personnel.

"The University is committed to ensuring that students who are housed in these locations will receive the full benefits of the vibrant campus community that UL Lafayette provides," UL Lafayette said.

With students moving in, those who stay in these hotels have to look for a new place to stay.

Brian Smith, a veteran from Houston, was staying in WoodSpring Suites, an extended stay hotel. Smith said hotel management told guests that they are not taking any more reservations and that those who are staying there must move out.

"I asked them. I said, 'Did I hear this right? Everybody's got to move out?'," Smith said. "He's like, 'Yeah, yeah. Somebody bought the hotel out, and we ain't taking no more reservations. You can't extend your stay or nothing. You know, I'm sorry, but you have to move out.'"

Smith told News 10 his son moved out of their home in Houston, which made him decide to move to Georgia.

"The last couple years, I've been hanging around hoping he'll come back, so daddy's been going through the great depression because he's by himself," Smith said.

Smith was now homeless and traveling by bus to Georgia when he had to stop in Lafayette due to side effects from his battle with leukemia.

The VA helped him get a spot at WoodSpring Suites on Monday, and he was kicked out Wednesday. The VA placed him in a new hotel, but Smith is just one of many at the two hotels who had to relocate.

"UL will communicate further details to affected students and the public in coming days," UL Lafayette said.

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