York University Student Housing Data Analysis
The project focuses on analyzing student housing data and conducting market research on housing affordability and availability for students attending York University. The goal is to assess housing options around the Keele campus, identify affordability challenges, and develop evidence-based recommendations to support students in securing safe and affordable housing. With rising rental prices and limited purpose-built student housing near York University, students—particularly international and low-income students—face significant challenges in accessing secure and affordable accommodation. This project aims to evaluate housing market trends, student housing demand, affordability gaps, and the impact of Toronto’s multi-tenant housing policies on York students. Researchers will apply data analysis and urban policy research methods to highlight key barriers and opportunities in the York housing market. The findings will support policymakers, York administration, and housing advocates in creating more affordable and inclusive housing solutions for students. Research activities will include: Collecting and analyzing data on housing prices, rental availability, and student housing demand near York University (Keele campus and The Village at York University). Collecting field research and survey data on student housing conditions, affordability, and challenges specific to York University. Analyzing Toronto’s new citywide multitenant housing framework, including zoning changes, licensing, and enforcement, and its implications for student housing availability and affordability near York. Reviewing municipal and institutional housing strategies (City of Toronto, York University) and comparing best practices in student housing elsewhere. Conducting affordability gap analysis to measure the disparity between student budgets and local rental prices; Preparing a detailed report summarizing findings, data insights, and actionable recommendations. Developing a comprehensive research report with findings and recommendations for student housing affordability and access.
Data Analysis on Student Housing for Memorial University
The project focuses on analyzing rental market data and student housing conditions near Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) to develop evidence-based recommendations for improving student housing affordability, availability, and quality. As one of the largest universities in Atlantic Canada, MUN attracts a significant number of domestic and international students each year. However, rising rental costs in St. John's limited on/off-campus housing, and an over-reliance on the private rental market have created challenges for students seeking safe, affordable, and accessible housing. This project aims to evaluate market rental data, analyze field research and student feedback, and identify key affordability gaps and housing challenges facing MUN students. Researchers will use skills in data analysis, housing economics, and urban planning to assess affordability thresholds, student needs, and market constraints. The ultimate goal is to produce a research report that provides actionable insights to inform university administrators, policymakers, and local stakeholders in addressing housing affordability challenges. This analysis will also contribute to a better understanding of housing issues in smaller urban centres and how they impact students in Atlantic Canada. Research activities will include: Analyzing publicly available housing data from CMHC, Statistics Canada, Private Rental Listing Marketplaces/Databases, etc…; Collecting field research and survey data on MUN student housing conditions, including affordability, accessibility, and quality concerns; Conducting affordability gap analysis to measure the disparity between student budgets and local rental prices; Mapping housing options and rental availability near MUN, with particular attention to student-heavy neighbourhoods (Elizabeth Avenue, Churchill Square, downtown St. John’s); Developing a comprehensive research report with findings and recommendations for expanding and improving affordable student housing in St. John’s.
Data Analysis on Student Housing for the University of Ottawa
The project focuses on analyzing rental market data and student housing conditions near the University of Ottawa to develop evidence-based recommendations aimed at improving student housing affordability and availability. With rising rental costs and limited supply of student-oriented housing, University of Ottawa students face growing challenges in securing affordable, safe, and accessible housing close to campus. This project aims to assess rental market data, analyze student survey and field research findings, and identify gaps in affordability, accessibility, and quality of housing available to students. Researchers will apply knowledge of data analysis, housing economics, and urban planning to evaluate current market dynamics and affordability thresholds. The goal is to produce a comprehensive research report and provide actionable insights that can inform university administration, policymakers, and housing stakeholders in supporting affordable student housing solutions. This analysis will also contribute to the wider understanding of housing challenges faced by post-secondary students in Canada’s mid-sized urban centres. Research activities will include: Analyzing publicly available housing data from CMHC, Statistics Canada, Private Rental Listing Marketplaces/Databases, etc…; Collecting field research and survey data on student housing conditions, affordability, and challenges specific to University of Ottawa students; Conducting affordability and market gap analysis to measure the difference between student income levels and rental costs; Mapping rental and housing trends near uOttawa’s downtown campus and surrounding neighbourhoods (Sandy Hill, Lowertown, Centretown); Developing a comprehensive research report with findings and recommendations for student housing affordability and access.
Data Analysis on Student Housing for the University of Toronto (St. George Campus)
This project focuses on analyzing secondary rental market data and collecting field research data on student housing near the University of Toronto St. George Campus to develop evidence-based insights designed to improve student housing affordability on/off-campus. With rising costs of living and limited affordable rental options in Toronto, post-secondary students often chose between safe, affordable, and accessible housing close to campus. This project aims to assess rental market data, collect/analyze field research collected by HOUSE, identify students’ housing needs and challenges in the private market, and propose data-driven recommendations to improve student housing access and affordability on/off-campus. Researchers will apply their knowledge of data analysis, urban planning, and economic principles to evaluate housing trends and develop a report which provides actionable insights that can inform universities, policymakers, and housing stakeholders on how to support more affordable non-market student-housing solutions. This analysis will contribute to a broader understanding of student housing challenges in urban settings and support efforts to strengthen student well-being and academic success. Research activities include: Analyzing publicly available housing data from CMHC, Statistics Canada, Private Rental Listing Marketplaces/Databases, etc.; Data collection/field research data on student housing conditions near UTSG, including surveys and interviews; Conducting affordability and trend analysis to measure the gap between student budgets and market pricing; Mapping key insights and findings into a comprehensive market research report; Developing recommendations and strategies to expand affordable housing options for students.
Student Housing Affordability Analysis & Policy Development in Mississauga, ON
The project focuses on analyzing public housing data and field research data on student housing in the City Mississauga to develop evidence-based policy recommendations designed to improve student housing affordability and availability municipally. With rising costs of living, post-secondary students face significant challenges in securing safe, secure, and affordable housing on/near campus. This project aims to assess public housing data, analyzing field research data collected by HOUSE, identifying students housing needs and challenges in the housing markets, and propose data-driven recommendations for municipal policy improvements. Researchers will utilize their knowledge of data analysis, urban planning, and economic principles to evaluate housing trends and affordability metrics. The goal is to develop and research report and provide actionable insights that can inform local policymakers and stakeholders in creating more affordable housing solutions for students. This analysis will contribute to a broader understanding of housing affordability issues in urban settings and support efforts to enhance student living conditions. Research activities will include: Analyzing publicly available housing data from the CMHC, and over 32,500 data points collected through field research by HOUSE; Conducting cross-referential and regressive analyses of student housing data to identify student in Core Housing Need in Mississauga; Developing a comprehensive research report which maps key insights and evidence-based recommendations based on existing municipal policy; Developing a policy brief which summarize evidence-based recommendations to improve student housing affordability and availability on/off-campus.
York University Student Housing Research Revitalization
This project aims to revitalize and enhance the understanding of student housing needs at York University by conducting comprehensive quantitative and qualitative research. Building on HOUSE Canada's research on illegal multi-tenant housing in the Village at York University, the focus will be on gathering core housing data for students living on and off-campus across York's Keele, Glendon, and Markham campuses. The goal is to scale the research initiative to students living on-campus, and those living further off-campus both within and outside of the Village at York University. The initiative will identify trends, challenges, and opportunities in student housing to inform future policies and initiatives. The project will culminate in a community event to share findings and celebrate research participants, potentially funded by local community grants. This initiative will provide students with the opportunity to apply their research skills, data analysis, and event planning knowledge in a real-world context, fostering a deeper connection between academic learning and community engagement. Develop and conduct quantitative and qualitative surveys with students across all campuses; Develop community Grant Application to local grocers and community organization to support a community event to present the research outcomes; Analyze collected data to identify key housing trends and issues; Prepare a comprehensive report detailing findings and recommendations; Plan and execute a community event to present research outcomes.
Visualizing Underreported Student Housing Data Across Ontario
The project aims to process analyzed data on student housing in Mississauga and North York (Toronto) into visual and knowledge translation assets. Public housing data from CMHC and Statistics Canada omit students and student housing for data on Core Housing Need for a variety of technical reasons, including: Post-secondary students are assumed to be in a 'transitional phase' by Statistics Canada; Post-secondary students' low-income status is viewed as a 'temporary condition' by Statistics Canada; Mature post-secondary students are omitted from Statistics Canada's 'Non-Family Households' category; Statistics Canada assigns domestic post-secondary students 'usual residence' as their parents address; Student households on/off-campus are omitted from CMHC's rental market survey. This project focuses on translating analyzed data into accessible and simplified knowledge assets for public use and distribution. Assets created throughout the project will be hosted on HOSUE's website and social media platforms to promote research on student housing which address the gaps currently existent in public housing data. By visualizing field research data collected by HOUSE and developing publicly available assets which call for policies that promote the creation of more affordable and available housing for post-secondary students on/off-campus, this project aims to better inform public officials, communtiy stakeholders, and the public at-large about evidence-based student housing solutions. Project activities include: Translating current housing data related to student accommodation in Mississauga into visual assets (i.e. charts, graphs, infographics, posters/posts...); Visualize student housing trends and market data relating to student housing affordability and availability in Mississauga and North York (Toronto); Developing web and social media assets using Google Looker Studio and Application Programming Interface (API) Tools on HOUSE's and local partners' websites.
Research & Data Analysis on Student Housing Landscape in Mississauga
Postsecondary students are facing a housing availability and affordability crisis across Canada that is creating barriers for students to succeed academically and professionally, yielding negative impacts on students' overall physical and mental well-being. Today, rental housing costs on average 2x the cost of tuition for Canadian domestic students, and is one of the most significant barriers to postsecondary education for international students in Canada — up to 5% of students will experience some for of post-secondary student homeless over the duration of their academic careers. In the City of Mississauga, on-campus housing growth and development has been limited, while off-campus housing policy has lagged behind the need/demand for affordable student housing options, including for multi-tenant (rooming) houses for students. Despite conducting a market demand study, the University of Toronto Mississauga Campus (UTM) is not currently pursuing any new housing development, which impact access to housing for student enrolled at UTM, as well as Mohawk College (Mississauga Campus), Lambton College (Mississauga Campus), Sheridan College (Mississauga Campus), as well as private and careers colleges in Mississauga. Notably, there is a gap in research on the current student housing landscape in Mississauga. HOUSE aims to fill this gap by conducting policy-based research on on/off-campus in the region, with an emphasized focus on housing options at/near the UTM. Research Goals include: Identifying current policies on lodging houses and accessory units which impact postsecondary student housing in Mississauga and near UTM; Adapting existing student housing research surveys and tools to be distributed to students across Mississauga; Collecting data and evidence to support policy recommendations which support postsecondary student in Mississauga and near UTM; Analyzing the data to identify key findings and insights to bring to the federal, provincial, and municipal government stakeholders in Mississauga.
Architectural Assistant - HOUSE Canada
HOUSE Canada is a federally incorporated non-profit dedicated to research, advocacy, and development of affordable housing for post-secondary students and young people. Our goal is to create quality, community-oriented and perpetually affordable housing that is by and for the communities we serve. HOUSE works with partners in the housing sector, post-secondary institutions, student unions and government to accomplish this. HOUSE is a member-owned and controlled organization, made up of local self-governing affordable housing committees (such as the York University Affordable Housing Committee), mission-aligned organizations and student union locals. We are creating housing by community, for the community. HOUSE has a progressive workplace culture that provides flexibility and makes staff well-being a priority, while balancing these with accomplishing the mission of the organization and holding ourselves accountable for our areas of responsibility.
Community Outreach Specialist - HOUSE Canada
HOUSE Canada is a federally incorporated non-profit dedicated to research, advocacy, and development of affordable housing for post-secondary students and young people. Our goal is to create quality, community-oriented and perpetually affordable housing that is by and for the communities we serve. HOUSE works with partners in the housing sector, post-secondary institutions, student unions and government to accomplish this. HOUSE is a member-owned and controlled organization, made up of local self-governing affordable housing committees (such as the York University Affordable Housing Committee), mission-aligned organizations and student union locals. We are creating housing by community, for the community. HOUSE has a progressive workplace culture that provides flexibility and makes staff well-being a priority, while balancing these with accomplishing the mission of the organization and holding ourselves accountable for our areas of responsibility.
Communications Specialist - HOUSE Canada
HOUSE Canada is a federally incorporated non-profit dedicated to research, advocacy, and development of affordable housing for post-secondary students and young people. Our goal is to create quality, community-oriented and perpetually affordable housing that is by and for the communities we serve. HOUSE works with partners in the housing sector, post-secondary institutions, student unions and government to accomplish this. HOUSE is a member-owned and controlled organization, made up of local self-governing affordable housing committees (such as the York University Affordable Housing Committee), mission-aligned organizations and student union locals. We are creating housing by community, for the community. HOUSE has a progressive workplace culture that provides flexibility and makes staff well-being a priority, while balancing these with accomplishing the mission of the organization and holding ourselves accountable for our areas of responsibility.