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
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.