Collective cry for student housing
Post-secondary students rallying at the B.C. legislature on Tuesday called on the province to help fill what they say is a 20,000-bed shortfall in student housing.
Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson said in an interview an Alliance of B.C. Students proposal for universities and college to self-finance housing developments is being examined by the province.
This concept would see institutions finance and build their own housing, and pay for them using fees charged to students. “We are working on that very idea right now,” Wilkinson said. “We are hoping to bring it into focus in the near future.”
Under current rules, post-secondary institution borrowing for housing construction would fall within the government’s total capital debt. Bond rating agencies examine that debt to determine the province’s credit rating.
“We are very concerned not to grow that debt irresponsibility because it would drive up our interest rates,” Wilkinson said.
Students say the tight rental market and increasing numbers of local and international students have led to a rental housing “crisis” situation on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland. Cramped quarters with too many roommates, noisy and unclean premises, pricey units and long commutes are among problems students have to endure.
Saanich Coun. Fred Haynes, with the backing of that municipality’s council, is taking a motion to the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Victoria this week. If passed, the province will be asked to support the self-financing model. This scheme would not increase taxes, Haynes said, adding “students are struggling to find housing.”
Oak Bay council supports the idea. Coun. Tom Croft cited one case where a Henderson Roadarea house was packed with nine students, some living in a converted garage. The students complained to the province and the municipality about conditions.
Croft is concerned about students living in unsafe housing that does not meet building codes.
The Alliance brought about 25 students to Victoria for its rally. Spokesman Alex McGowan said 20,000 more spaces are needed in B.C., suggesting it would cost close to $2 billion to build them.
In the Vancouver area, students are spending about $700 to $1,000 per month on market rent, some having to travel long distances to get to class, he said.
Maxwell Nicholson, director of campaigns and community relationships with the the University of Victoria Student Society, is backing the Alliance, saying, “the affordability crisis for students is already at a really critical point.”
Greater Victoria had a 0.6 per cent vacancy rate in fall 2015, said Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. In the capital region, average student rents run $700 to $900 per month, up from $500 to $600 a few years ago, Nicholson said. He said rising rents result in students taking on more debt.
Nicholson has heard of cases where 25 students have shown up for an open house for rental space. In his own family’s case, he was planning to view an apartment for his brother. But two hours before the viewing, the meeting was cancelled because someone else beat him to it.
UVic has 2,200 student housing spaces. Its strategic plan has identified expansion of housing as a priority and it is in the early stages of proceeding with those plans, a university official said.
Camosun College’s Joan Yates, vice-president of student experience, said the school is exploring the idea of building housing for families, aboriginal students and international students.
The college has no residences, but could build at its Interurban campus. The college was forced to issue a plea to the community, staff and former homestay hosts to find enough places for international students this term. It appears that everyone has a place to live for now, Yates said.