GEM Seminar Series

Making a home in Waterloo: international student families and housing insecurity

Dr. Nancy Worth, with Dr. Alkim Karaagac

Our two-year case study in Waterloo, Ontario—a city known for its purpose-built student housing—reveals that international student families face distinct challenges in the local housing market. While all students contend with high housing costs, families struggle to find suitable accommodations in a market dominated by single-student units. International student families must also navigate unfamiliar rental processes with limited institutional support, as higher education institutions typically consider off-campus housing beyond their remit. Although international students are often blamed for housing affordability issues, our findings indicate they are among the housing crisis’ most vulnerable groups.