The student housing shortage in Canada has reached a critical level, described by Desjardins as a "crisis" that affects not only students but also the broader population. The issue stems from an increasing number of students, both local and international, entering post-secondary institutions that were not originally designed to accommodate such large numbers. According to Desjardins, only about 1 in 10 students can access on-campus housing, leaving over a million students to compete for limited rental properties.
This lack of housing availability drives up rents and forces students into precarious living conditions or long commutes. For example, cities like Hamilton, home to McMaster University, are experiencing particularly severe shortages. Many students, especially international ones, find it difficult to secure affordable housing near their institutions, exacerbating their financial stress.
The housing shortage for students is intertwined with Canada’s overall housing crisis. As universities and colleges expand to accommodate more international students, there has been a lack of matching investment in student housing infrastructure. This mismatch has forced students into the general rental market, pushing up demand and prices, which impacts local residents as well.
Experts are calling for urgent attention to this issue, as the student housing crisis not only affects the education system but also worsens Canada's broader housing affordability challenges. Desjardins and other institutions urge policymakers to address the problem through increased investment in affordable student housing to ensure the country can meet both current and future demand.
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