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
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.