What supports are there for university students struggling to find housing?

It is the start of a new academic year, and many students are moving into dorms, apartments or maybe just a few feet away into the spare room in their family’s basement. International and out-of-province students coming to Saskatoon for the first time are searching for affordable and accessible housing, especially near the university campus. Where you live, sleep and study are important factors for your mental wellbeing. It can cause anxiety and stress if you are struggling to find a place, which can negatively affect your mental health. Housing for students, especially in the current climate, is a big concern. 

According to Zumper, an online rental listing website, rentals in Saskatoon for a two-bedroom space have risen 13 percent over the past year, with one-bedroom places increasing by over 5 percent. On average, asking rents have increased by $103 per month over the past three months, making the average rent for a two-bedroom in Saskatoon being $1220, and $1040 for a one-bedroom. These increases have become unaffordable to many students already struggling to keep up with cost increases seen across all sectors, including tuition and groceries.

In a recent interview with Global News, USSU President Ishita Mann said, “Areas close to the university are almost holding some sort of premium and are costing a lot of money that the average student just cannot afford with rising tuition costs as well.”

Several factors are contributing to the current higher costs of living. The latest increase by the Bank of Canada has brought interest rates to a 22-year high at 5%.The rising interest rates, along with high inflation, has sidelined many people from buying a home. One in five Canadians are postponing homebuying, leading to an increase in the number of renters in an already small market.

Another factor contributing to this increase is low supply and high demand. August and September are peak seasons for lease activity with many university students returning to campus. The CEO of the Saskatoon and Region Home Builders’ Association, Nicole Burgess, attributed the low supply of housing to high costs of materials and construction. She additionally said that builders are being careful not to overbuild and take on debt, so they are instead opting to build close to demand. However, the Saskatchewan Housing Continuum Network has said that 100,000 new housing units must be built by 2030 to meet the population growth.  

With student housing being such a pressing concern many may feel their mental wellbeing being negatively affected. If you are struggling to find housing, the university has some resources available to help. The USSU Housing Registry is available online for you to search or list accommodations. They also have contact information for questions or concerns including rental agreements. Additionally, the International Student and Study Abroad Centre has a list of considerations to keep in mind when renting. This includes some great questions to ask before signing a rental agreement, including information on utilities, types of housing and what to check for when doing a walkthrough.