As students embark on their post-secondary journey in Edmonton, the daunting dilemma of housing affordability lurks in the background. Inaugurating a new academic year, students grapple with the skyrocketing costs of living, which includes accommodation. The inordinate expenses not only govern where students can live but also pose a significant blow to their overall quality of life.
In a survey conducted by the University of Alberta, it was revealed that more than 200 individuals in the academic community were compelled to seek rest in precarious locales like their cars, solely due to the absence of safer, affordable alternatives. Similarly, at least 400 learners found themselves slumbering within the campus precincts, bereft of alternative lodging options.
As per Chris Beasley, the esteemed Chair of the Council of Alberta University Students, students find themselves cornered in a harsh predicament of choosing between the basic necessities of food and rent. Due to the dire lack of affordable accommodation, they often choose nourishment and are hence relegated to unsavory conditions for sleeping, such as their cars. The situation is projected to worsen as the enrollment at the University of Alberta is expected to surge by 40 per cent in the forthcoming decade. This rise would inherently inflate the competition for rental and housing facilities near campuses, causing the demand to outstrip the supply.
A silver lining in this rather bleak scenario is the recent addition of a new apartment tower, the “Laurent,” in the Garneau neighborhood, in proximity to the University’s main campus. With rates ranging from $890 to $1,600 per month, the housing complex promises more availability for students. Bill Blais of the Maclab Development group, responsible for crafting this solution, is optimistic that it will pave the way for students to occupy diverse product types across Edmonton.
A corresponding situation unfolds at MacEwan University, where its 846-bed residence, since its inception in 2005, is fully occupied for the first time and runs on an extensive waitlist. Whilst keeping the rates stable since 2020, with an average cost of $775 per month, MacEwan continues to uphold student needs against the backdrop of a competitive property landscape. However, the general consensus remains that long-term rental, whether around campuses or within residences, entails substantial costs, irrespective of where a student chooses to stay.
The University of Alberta professes to provide temporary emergency housing for students grappling with accommodation issues, thus offering a modicum of relief amidst the escalating housing challenges.
