Shortage of student housing in Timmins prompts Northern College to ask for help
As colleges and universities prepare to welcome students in September, the pressure is on when it comes to the housing supply.
In Timmins, Northern College officials are reaching out to the community for help.
Many foreign students at Northern College are from India and living alone in residence is not how they want to live.
“They want community based living. Residence is temporary as they find accommodations that are more communal," said Audrey Penner, president of Northern College.
"There’s a lot of pressure around this issue and it’s very much on the minds of all of us in the college system to assure that students not only come and get an education but really have a high quality experience in doing so."
Penner said the Timmins campus residence at this point is only two-thirds occupied, but foreign students usually see that option as an interim measure.
“They’re going out and trying to find rooms or apartments in the community and sometimes they get too many in these apartments and it’s really against fire regulations so they’re having difficulty finding a place," said John Curley, councillor.
The college hopes to connect with landlords or homeowners who want to provide space or rental units.
"If they want to email housing@northern.on.ca that’s one of the things our staff is looking for, to make contact and say how can work together,” Curley said.
Nipissing University and Canadore College are in a similar situation, except their need for housing is more for domestic students.
“We sent out communications to landlords who are registered with the Near North Landlords Association to remind them of the services that are available," said Casey Phillips, assistant vice-president at Nipissing University.
"We’re also holding educational awareness sessions for individuals who maybe never rented in the past."
Curley added that some housing projects are in the works in Timmins, but said it's too early to reveal any details.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Breast cancer screening should start at age 40, Canadian Cancer Society says
The Canadian Cancer Society says all provinces and territories should lower the starting age for breast cancer screening to 40.
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels is on the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Canadian-Israeli man shot dead in Egypt; claim links killing to Gaza
A Canadian man 'of Jewish Israeli descent' has been shot dead in the Egyptian city of Alexandria in a suspected criminal case, a security source said, while a previously unknown militant group said it carried out the attack in reaction to the war in Gaza.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.