Students struggle to find housing near universities
More rooms are available on university campuses this year but some students in Halifax are still struggling to find housing.
University students, including Patrick Cormier, head back to class in about a month. He’s been hunting for an apartment, but so far, the only thing he’s found is his name on a waiting list to live on campus.
“I’ve messaged so many people and it’s really hard to even get an email back,” said Cormier.
Dalhousie University has more than 2,300 beds this year, compared to 1,800 beds last year, but rooms are already full.
Saint Mary’s University residences are also full. Communications Manager Cale Loney notes this typically happens late by July. That’s when the school starts a waitlist.
“That began a little earlier in July this year,” Loney said.
University of King’s College residences are also full.
In an email sent to alumni, professors and students, the University of King’s College’s Dean of Students urgently asked people to consider renting an empty bedroom or in-law suite to a student for the academic year.
According to the email, there are 15 first-year students and 10 upper-year students who cannot find housing.
Aparna Mohan, Dalhousie Student Union’s President, is noticing rental costs are up and so is the frequency of scams.
“Where they’re asked to place security deposits and complete credit checks and have information potentially stolen from them without any actual housing,” Mohan said.
According to data from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Halifax’s vacancy rate is one per cent.
Mohan said she’s hearing more students who are being priced out of the peninsula and the downtown core of Halifax.
“And moving to places like Clayton Park and other suburbs,” she said.
Akuei Diing lives 20 minutes outside of Halifax and commutes to school.
“Right now, especially because a lot of buses aren’t in operation, it’s tough,” Diing said.
Mohan believes Nova Scotia needs to bring about practical changes such as more affordable housing, permanent rent control and help for international students.
“Helping international students to co-sign onto apartment listings since they don’t have credit history,” she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From AI running wild to collapsing ecosystems, government report outlines future disruptions
From artificial intelligence running wild to collapsing ecosystems, a new Canadian government report outlines 35 disruptions that could rattle the country in the near future.
B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton hospitalized after prison attack
British Columbia serial killer Robert Pickton was attacked and sustained life-threatening injuries in a Quebec prison Sunday in what officials described as a 'major assault.'
opinion Tom Mulcair: With Trudeau spiralling, Mark Carney waits in the wings
In his latest column for CTVNews.ca, former NDP leader Tom Mulcair argues that if there's an unofficial frontrunner in the eventual race to replace Justin Trudeau as Liberal leader, it has to be former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney.
Toronto Blue Jays fan struck by 110 m.p.h foul ball offered tickets, signed baseball by team
The Toronto Blue Jays have offered tickets and a signed baseball to a fan who says she was struck in the face by a 110 m.p.h (177 km/h) foul ball at Friday’s game.
Matthew Perry's death is being investigated over ketamine level found in actor's blood, reports say
An investigation has been opened into the death of Matthew Perry and how the “Friends” actor received the anesthetic ketamine, which was ruled a contributing factor in his death.
OPP continues to investigate boat collision north of Kingston, Ont. that left 3 people dead
Ontario Provincial Police continue to investigate a long weekend fatal boat collision on Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont.
Police in Ontario say suspects charged in armed home invasion near Toronto part of 'larger criminal network'
Police in Ontario say a group of suspects charged in an armed home invasion north of Toronto last year were driving a vehicle stolen in a carjacking in Calgary just one month earlier.
Stolen septic truck swerves through traffic, spike belt needed to stop it: Manitoba RCMP
A 29-year-old woman has been charged after police say she stole a septic truck from a Manitoba community and drove erratically on the highway.
Orphan orca's extended family spotted off northeast side of Vancouver Island
Members of a killer whale pod related to an orphan orca calf that escaped a remote British Columbia tidal lagoon last month have been spotted off the northeast coast of Vancouver Island.