Researchers highlight cohort's vulnerability in the housing market
A recent study by researchers at the University of Waterloo’s Faculty of Environment has concluded that international students are not to blame for Canada’s ongoing housing crisis. The study, which sought to address misconceptions surrounding the impact of international students on the housing market, found that these students are, in fact, among the most vulnerable groups affected by the crisis.
Lead researcher Alkim Karaagac emphasized that international students face significant challenges in securing affordable, quality housing, much like other disadvantaged groups such as newcomers and low-income families. “What we’re seeing is that international students are not the culprits in the housing crisis but the scapegoats,” Karaagac told CBC News. She noted that these students frequently encounter discrimination and are often targets of rental scams and fraud.
Housing pressures and lack of support
The study highlighted several factors contributing to the housing struggles faced by international students. At the federal level, there are insufficient building programs to meet the demand for university housing. Provincial funding for higher education has also stagnated for decades, exacerbating the issue. Additionally, there is a scarcity of family housing options, which puts further pressure on international students with families.
Karaagac shared a story from the research involving a family of four from the Bahamas who, despite multiple rental applications, were unable to secure housing before arriving in Canada. They ended up staying in an Airbnb for eight months, living out of boxes and suitcases. Similarly, a family from Bangladesh was duped by a rental agency, only to discover upon arrival that the apartment they had rented was already occupied. They were forced to live in the basement of another family’s home for the duration of their studies.
These experiences are not isolated. The study revealed that international students are frequently asked to provide excessive documentation or pay illegal upfront fees, putting an additional financial strain on them.
Recommendations for change
To better support international students, Karaagac recommended measures at both the university and municipal levels. She advocated for providing students with comprehensive guidance and accurate information about housing markets, costs of living, and waiting lists for essential services before they arrive in Canada to help them make informed decisions about their education and living arrangements.
Furthermore, Karaagac suggested that Canadian universities should follow the example set by institutions in the UK and US, where subsidized housing is guaranteed for every full-time international student. “When they offer acceptance to a program, they also offer a place to live,” she said, stressing the importance of ensuring that students are not left vulnerable in an unfamiliar housing market.
The study also calls for stronger bylaws to protect newcomers from illegal practices, rental scams, and discrimination. According to Karaagac, addressing these issues is important to preventing international students from becoming scapegoats in the broader housing crisis.
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