In Windsor, the head of the Street Help homeless shelter is pleading for senior authorities and educational establishments to shoulder more responsibility in accommodating students, as a potential answer to the prevailing housing crisis.
Street Help, via social media, revealed the harsh reality of a resident’s living conditions; a rudimentary shelter composed of a black tarp suspended across a pair of tree trunks.
Regrettably, the individual in question faces a formidable six-year wait on the list for affordable housing, as mentioned alongside the posted picture.
Christine Wilson-Furlonger, in charge of the shelter, emphasises the increasing frequency of such survival scenes in Windsor. She lays a significant portion of fault upon senior levels of governance and higher education establishments.
“People preferred making their homes in public spaces, feeling safer in visible locations, but now the city is swiftly dismantling such encampments,” she explained.
According to Wilson-Furlonger, the ongoing predicament in Windsor-Essex’s housing continues to force countless people into desperate circumstances. She is particularly incensed by preferential treatment granted to students, describing it as evidence of pure discrimination.
Seeing real estate listings advertising homes specifically for students deeply frustrates her. She acknowledges the necessity of student accommodation but insists that the onus of housing provision should lie primarily with federal authorities, the University of Windsor, and St. Clair College, prior to student arrival in the city.
Mentioning that students who have paid their tuition frequently experience difficulty in securing a good place to live, she advocates that the higher levels of government should mandate colleges and universities to construct more housing facilities immediately.
Severe mismanagement, she comments, is evident when a significant influx of people is permitted despite an evident lack of available lodging.
The University of Windsor and the federal government refrained from making any comments.
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing highlighted that Ontario’s colleges and universities are independent entities and their own governors. These institutions regulate their policies and procedures, encompassing decisions relating to admission and enrollment of students, both domestic and international, as well as particular student supports.
They added that while the Federal government manages the country’s immigration policy, encompassing guidelines for international students’ study and work permits, all levels of governance share the responsibility of facilitating a welcoming environment for international students and providing conditions for easy access to postsecondary education.
In the past three years, the ministry has reportedly invested $4.4 billion to develop and enhance community and supportive housing for vulnerable Ontarians and Indigenous communities.
St. Clair College opened a new residence exclusive to international students in 2021, expecting residents to become accustomed to Canadian lifestyle during their initial semester of four months, after which they must find alternative accommodation.
John Fairley, the vice president of communications for St. Clair College, commented that the decision to live on or off-campus often boils down to individual choice and financial circumstances. However, the college is working on constructing more residence facilities across Windsor and Chatham in response to the evident housing shortage.
