Calgary's university residences unable to accommodate many incoming students
Calgary's worsening housing crisis has reached post-secondary campuses across the city.
Despite having 3,000 rental spaces, the University of Calgary has had to place more than 1,000 students on the housing waitlist this year.
That means just weeks before the fall semester, adequate shelter is still on the back-to-school list for many.
The students' union calls the situation "dire."
"The list is pretty bad," Naomi Bakana with the students' union told CTV News.
"And it doesn't seem like it's shrinking anytime soon."
The union will try to help find short-term rentals and hotels for those in need, but Bakana points out students aren't given special treatment off-campus: they'll be trying to clear the same obstacles as the rest of the city.
"Some of them would actually rather settle for unsafe options off-campus in order to afford university," she said.
"(They're considering renting) places that have mould, places that have water and heat issues, places that are overcrowded."
As recently as 2021, U of C students who couldn't find a bed near the school would be able to rent residences at other post-secondary institutions.
But that's no longer an option because those schools are full, too.
Mount Royal University has 30 people on its own waitlist.
"And the area that we are in is a bit expensive to find housing in," Tala Abu Hayyaneh with the students' association said.
"As you go further, you're able to find more housing but there's the factor of transit and how long does it take to get to MRU?"
"This is a situation that's been a long time coming," said Maya Kambeitz, affordable housing advocate and Norfolk Housing Association CEO.
"There's just a real crunch along the entire housing continuum, and this is sort of a result of that lack of investment."
Kambeitz points out that without more supply paired with careful planning and oversight, the issue will compound.
"We really need to think about how we build a housing system that supports folks at different stages of their life."
Both universities are asking all people on a waitlist to keep applying to residences in case another student drops out.
The hope is there are more spaces available for the winter semester.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Alberta Premier Smith gets 91 per cent support in leadership review
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith received a dominating 91.5 per cent vote of support from her United Conservative Party members in a scheduled leadership review vote on Saturday.
'It’s a dream come true’: Holt, Liberal cabinet sworn-in to office
Susan Holt, the province’s first female premier, and 18 cabinet ministers took the oath of office in the chamber of the legislative assembly.
Vancouver quietly proclaimed Chip Wilson Day as billionaire installed sign calling B.C. NDP 'communist'
On the same day Chip Wilson erected a controversial sign at his Vancouver mansion, the city was quietly honouring the billionaire and his wife.
Here's what you can buy for $729,000 in 8 Ottawa neighbourhoods
CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at what you can buy for the average Ottawa home price of $729,000 in eight Ottawa neighbourhoods.
Florida's convicted killer clown released from prison for the murder of her husband's then-wife
A woman who pleaded guilty to dressing as a clown and in 1990 murdering the wife of a man she later married was released from prison on Saturday.
Calgary police issue warning after receiving over 150 calls relating to personal fireworks
Calgary police issued a media statement Saturday reminding residents about the rules regarding personal fireworks after receiving over 150 complaints.
Carter speaks of legacy, relationship with Raptors fans ahead of jersey retirement
Vince Carter spoke about family, legacy, anger, and ultimately, love in an emotional news conference ahead of his jersey being retired by the Toronto Raptors.
The impact of Trump's lies in Springfield, Ohio
Springfield, Ohio was once a manufacturing hub. Now, people know it for Trump's comments at September's presidential debate, when he famously - and falsely - told an audience of 67 million people that Haitians eat their pets, echoing claims that had circulated on social media.
India trashes Canada for linking home minister to Sikh activist plot
India officially protested on Saturday the Canadian government's allegation that the country's powerful home minister Amit Shah had ordered the targeting of Sikh activists inside Canada, calling it 'absurd and baseless.'