55% of International Students in Canada Face Housing Challenges

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Key Takeaways

Over 55% of international students in Canada struggle with housing, worsened by systemic discrimination and financial instability.
Immigration caps and limited housing exacerbate stress, impacting students’ education, mental health, and aspirations for residency.
Universities, governments, and local efforts aim to address housing shortages through policy changes, support programs, and purpose-built housing solutions.

A recent survey highlights a troubling reality for international students in Canada (🇨🇦), with 55% of them struggling to secure suitable housing. Conducted by researchers at Thompson Rivers University (TRU), the survey underscores a housing crisis aggravated by new immigration caps introduced by the Canadian government. Together, these issues are creating significant hurdles for students seeking education in Canada, affecting not only their living conditions but also their financial stability and overall well-being.

Key Findings of the Survey

55% of International Students in Canada Face Housing Challenges

The TRU study engaged 215 international students through surveys and included in-depth interviews with 14 participants from countries like India (🇮🇳) and China (🇨🇳). These students represented various undergraduate and graduate programs. The results revealed a troubling scenario: over half of the respondents struggled to find suitable housing, and many encountered systemic racial discrimination in the rental market. The housing problem, while severe at TRU, reflects a broader crisis affecting international students across Canada.

This crisis is not new but has intensified over the past decade. A comparison of 2016 and 2024 survey findings highlights how the housing situation has worsened to an almost unmanageable level, dominating discussions during the back-to-school season. For example, the University of Calgary (U of C) reported that despite providing 3,000 residence spots, over 1,000 students were waitlisted for each of the past two years. According to Shane Royal, U of C’s senior director of ancillary services, the issue has escalated notably in recent years.

Financial Strains Add Pressure

The housing challenge is compounded by financial obstacles that further burden international students. The TRU study found that about one-third of the respondents lacked adequate financial support or faced uncertainty about their financial situation. This dual challenge of housing difficulties and financial instability often leads to significant stress, potentially undermining students’ academic success and mental health.

These economic challenges are particularly severe in cities like Brampton, a major hub for international students. With affordable housing options shrinking, many students find themselves crammed into small and unsafe spaces like illegal basement apartments. Housing in these areas not only comes at a premium but also increases the risk of safety hazards, including overcrowding and fire risks. Many students pay exorbitant rents for substandard accommodations, aggravating both their financial and physical well-being.

Immigration Caps Deepen the Crisis

The Canadian government recently introduced immigration caps to address pressures caused by the increasing number of international students on public services, housing, and the economy. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced a significant reduction in study permits for 2025, capping them at 437,000—10% fewer than in 2024. This decision follows a sharp 40% reduction in study permit applications in 2024, part of the federal government’s effort to curb the strain on resources.

The new 2025 immigration cap also includes key changes:

Graduate students, including those pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees, are now subject to the cap and must obtain Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letters (PAL/TAL) to proceed with their applications.
Certain groups, such as K-12 students, exchange program participants, and those extending existing study permits at their current institution, remain exempt from the PAL/TAL requirement.
Institutions hosting international students are now required to participate in compliance reporting. Non-compliant institutions risk suspension from admitting new international students.

While these measures aim to balance Canada’s international education sector with the available infrastructure, they present clear challenges for students. The intertwining of the housing crisis with stricter immigration policies paints a challenging picture for international students trying to establish themselves in Canada.

Widespread Impacts of the Housing Crisis

The situation is particularly dire in fast-growing urban centers like Brampton, where the lack of purpose-built student housing forces most students to rely on private rentals. High demand has led to skyrocketing rents, making even mediocre housing unaffordable for many.

Local authorities in Brampton are attempting several interventions. For instance, a Residential Rental Licensing Program aims to regulate student rentals and enforce housing standards. Additionally, a pilot project underway offers targeted support for international students with housing assistance, job placement, and mental health services. Proposals to link student visas to predetermined residence locations have also been floated as a solution to control the housing imbalance.

Universities are similarly struggling to meet housing demand. At the University of British Columbia (UBC), Associate Vice-President Andrew Parr reported that the housing crisis overshadowed the back-to-school season. This challenge is exacerbated by a noticeable decline in international student enrolment, driven by the new immigration caps and ongoing housing difficulties.

Long-Term Outcomes for International Students

The difficulties international students face do not end at housing. According to the TRU study, instances of racism and exploitation persist in other areas as well. While fewer students reported experiencing on-campus racism compared to 2016, many stated that they encountered discrimination when looking for housing or employment. For instance, a student recalled being threatened by a landlord attempting to revoke their visa during a lease dispute. Such incidents add to the stress of navigating life in a new country.

Adding to these struggles, Canada’s international education system has not adequately addressed students’ need for work-integrated learning and co-op programs. The Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) recently found that 70% of international students plan to apply for post-graduate work permits, and 57% intend to seek permanent residency. Yet, gaps in experiential learning opportunities may hinder their ability to fully integrate into the Canadian workforce.

Government Response and Policy Adjustments

The Canadian government’s immigration caps were introduced as a response to the overwhelming influx of international students, which has grown exponentially over the past decade. In 2024, undergraduate admissions for international students were reduced by 35%. This year, a further 10% cut includes the addition of graduate students to the newly enforced quota system.

Of the 437,000 total study permits that Canada plans to issue in 2025, only 316,276 will require a PAL for conditional approval. This list includes students in college programs, undergraduate and graduate degrees, diploma studies, and language courses. These adjustments reflect the government’s effort to manage growth while safeguarding essential public services and resources like housing.

Addressing a Systemic Issue

While these policies attempt to mitigate pressures on public infrastructure, the changes unintentionally add to the burdens faced by international students. With fewer permits and increasing competition for housing, the pathway to studying in Canada is becoming steeper.

Officials and institutions must work together to find long-term solutions. VisaVerge.com has reported that partnerships between universities, governments, and private developers can help create purpose-built student housing on a larger scale, alleviating some pressure on overcrowded cities.

Public consultations with students, landlords, and community members could also provide valuable perspectives for developing policies that address these shared challenges. Expanding financial aid for international students and introducing measures to ensure fair treatment in the rental market could significantly improve their experience.

Conclusion

The finding that 55% of international students in Canada struggle with housing sheds light on one of the most pressing issues in the country’s education landscape. Combined with the new immigration caps, these challenges form significant roadblocks for those seeking to build a future in Canada. Addressing these intertwined issues will require concerted efforts from universities, governments, and local communities.

Canada’s status as a desirable destination for education remains strong. However, failing to resolve the housing crisis and improve support for international students could weaken its position as a global leader in higher education. For further details on Canada’s immigration policies and their implications, visit the official page of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada here.

55% of international students in Canada face a growing housing crisis, while newly introduced immigration caps add to their challenges, according to a recent survey conducted at Thompson Rivers University (TRU). The findings underline mounting obstacles for students navigating financial and residential barriers.

Why it matters:

The combination of housing shortages and reduced study permits is reshaping the international student experience in Canada. As key contributors to Canada’s economy and academic landscape, their struggles signal broader systemic issues in immigration and education policies.

The big picture:

Housing and discrimination: Over 55% of TRU survey participants reported trouble finding suitable housing. Systemic racial discrimination exacerbates the issue, especially in rental markets.
Brampton spotlight: The city has become a hotspot for unregulated student housing, with overcrowded and unsafe basement apartments causing fire hazards and skyrocketing rental costs.
Financial strain: About one-third of surveyed students face insufficient financial support, further compounding their stress.

By the numbers:

2024 vs. 2025 caps: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) set new study permit caps at 437,000 for 2025—10% lower than 2024. In 2024 alone, a 40% reduction in new permits was implemented.
On-campus housing shortages: The University of Calgary faced 1,000 students on waitlists for dorms, competing for only 3,000 residence spots.
Work and residency ambitions: 70% of international students aim for post-graduate work permits, and 57% plan to seek permanent residency, highlighting their long-term goals in Canada.

What they’re saying:

Shane Royal, University of Calgary’s senior director of ancillary services: “The crisis has intensified…with consistent waitlists of up to 1,000 people in recent years.”
Andrew Parr from the University of British Columbia noted housing struggles “overshadowed the back-to-school season…amid declining international enrolment.”

Between the lines:

The federal government’s immigration caps aim to address Canada’s strained housing, healthcare, and public resources. However, critics argue that these measures fail to account for the crucial economic and cultural contributions of international students.

Yes, but:

The study found some improvement in reducing campus racism compared to 2016. Still, many students continue to face racism and exploitation in off-campus housing and job markets. One student reported a landlord’s threat to revoke their visa during a lease dispute.

State of play:

To address Brampton’s housing crisis, local officials are pushing for:
– A Residential Rental Licensing Program to regulate housing.
– A pilot project focused on housing, employment, and mental health support for students.
– Suggestions to tie housing availability to student visa approvals.

The bottom line:

Canada’s international student housing crisis intersects with new immigration caps, creating a challenging environment for students. Both federal and local responses will need to evolve to ensure Canada retains its status as a leading global destination for education.

Learn Today

Immigration caps: Limits set by the government on the number of immigrants or study permits allowed in a specific period.
Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letters (PAL/TAL): Official letters required for certain students to proceed with study permit applications under quota regulations.
Purpose-built student housing: Accommodations specifically designed and developed to meet the needs of student tenants near educational institutions.
Work-integrated learning: An educational approach combining academic studies with practical, real-world work experience to enhance job readiness.
Experiential learning opportunities: Hands-on learning experiences allowing students to gain practical knowledge through activities like internships or cooperative programs.

This Article in a Nutshell

Canada’s international students face a housing crisis, with 55% struggling to find suitable accommodations, a recent TRU survey reveals. Rising rents, discrimination, and financial instability compound their challenges, worsened by new immigration caps. Collaborative efforts—like purpose-built housing and stronger rental protections—are essential to ensure Canada remains a welcoming, sustainable destination for global education.
— By VisaVerge.com