Housing Accommodations

We are committed to supporting all students and, in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, has processes in place for students to request housing accommodations to make sure everyone has equal access to safe and inclusive living spaces.  

What are Housing Accommodations? 

We provide accommodations for students who have a documented disability, medical condition, or creed-based beliefs and practices that may impact their ability to live in standard residence accommodations. These accommodations address the functional limitations of the student while considering the demands of the residence environment.  

A disability/medical condition is defined as a documented physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Conditions can be visible or invisible and range from medical, sensory, physical, environmental, psychological, allergy/dietary restrictions, or mental health conditions.  

Timing of Housing Accommodation Requests

Students are encouraged to submit housing accommodation requests at the same time as applying for residence. Early disclosure allows us to explore room options that best support your needs.

Accessible Housing Accommodations

Who Should Apply for Accessible Housing Accommodations? 

Students who have, or suspect they may have, a disability or condition affecting their daily living activities are encouraged to apply for accessible housing accommodations. The process is designed to support students who require specific accommodations in residence due to a medical/health concern. 

If you meet the criteria listed above, we encourage you to seek accommodations and submit a request for housing support while living in residence.   

Accessible Housing Support provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability, medical condition that may impact their ability to live in standard residence accommodations. These supports address the functional limitations of the student while considering the demands of the residence environment.  

How to Apply for Accessible Housing Accommodations?

If you require accessible housing accommodations due to a documented disability or medical condition, please visit the Accessible Housing website for full details on how to complete the request for accommodation process.  

For any questions, please email housing@uwaterloo.ca with your full name and 8-digit Waterloo ID number.  

Health Care Professional Documentation 

The process requires a health care professional (qualified to diagnose) to complete a medical form as part of the submission. Please note that it may take time to schedule a doctor’s appointment and receive the required documentation. Be sure to plan ahead when applying for residence. 

Creed-Based Housing Accommodations

What are Creed-Based Housing Accommodations?

You may be concerned that your daily religious practices might not be accommodated in some of our residence communities.  
Many of our campus buildings, including residences, feature multi-faith spaces where students can comfortably and safely practice their faith.  
Additionally, our residence cafeterias offer vegan, vegetarian, and halal options.  For dietary supports please connect with Food Services on how they can best accommodate you in residence. 

At the University of Waterloo, we are committed to providing inclusive housing environments that respect and support the diverse needs of our students. As part of that commitment, we consider creed-based accommodation requests in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code.  

Please note that we are not able to assign students to residence spaces based on religious affiliation, nor can we exclude others from shared living environments based on their creed. Doing so would conflict with our obligation to provide non-discriminatory, inclusive housing for all students. 

Recommended accommodations are focused on the individual making the request and cannot infringe on the rights of other students and are focused on needs and not preferences.   

Who Should Request Creed-Based Housing Accommodation?  

Students who have daily creed-based/religious housing requests that cannot be accommodated through our amenities and dietary supports offered to all students may apply for creed-based support while living in residence.   

How to Request Creed-Based Accommodations? 

To apply for creed-based accommodations, please download, complete, and submit the Accommodation Request Form – Statement of Creed/Religious Belief(s). 

Types of Accessible and Creed-Based Housing Accommodations

We offer a variety of accommodations to meet the diverse needs of students. However, availability may be limited by the types of rooms and facilities we can provide.

  • Students applying through the New Student Residence Application are assigned to your room. So, we strongly encourage students to go through the housing accommodation process at the same time as completing your New Student Residence Application to ensure accessibility/creed-based needs can be accommodated prior to the release of housing offers. 
  • Students applying through the Campus Housing Application have the opportunity to select your own room. We encourage students requiring housing supports, whether accessible or creed-based, to keep those needs in mind when making your room selection. Please email housing@uwaterloo.ca with your full name and 8-digit Waterloo ID number if rooms available do not meet your needs.


Housing accommodations that are not available:

  • Requests for specific buildings
  • Roommate requests after room assignments have gone out
  • Private bathrooms for one person only
  • Assigning roommates with the same religious background or excluding a roommate from a shared suite

Important information to know:

Deadline for Incoming First-Year Students 

First-year students with the 2026 First-Year Residence Guarantee must complete the accessible and/or creed-based housing process by June 8, 2026. Submissions after this date will continue to be considered but meeting this deadline ensures that your request is considered before room assignments are made. 

Submit Early! 

It’s recommended that all students submit their accessible housing and/or creed-based housing request(s) around the same time you submit your residence application. Room assignments begin approximately two weeks after the first-year residence guarantee deadline, and room options will decrease as assignments are made. 

Roommate requests and housing accommodations

Roommate requests and housing accommodations

  • All students have the ability to request a roommate as part of the standard room assignment process.
  • Similarly, students with Accessible and Creed-Based housing accommodations are welcome to request a roommate.
    • However, if there is a conflict between meeting a student's approved accommodation and placing a student with their requested roommate, priority will be given to meeting accommodation needs.
  • After room assignments have gone out, we may not be able to consider roommate requests alongside accommodation needs as it depends on available space. 
  • Requests for a roommate are not considered as a creed-based or accessible housing need. 

Additional Accommodations

If you require additional types of support outside of the Accessible Housing process, see below.

Academic accommodations

Dietary accommodations

Food Services can accommodate students with many dietary restrictions and food allergies, including vegetarian, vegan, halal, dairy-free, and gluten-free options. For more information about how University of Waterloo can support your dietary needs, please visit the Food Services Dietary Restrictions website.

If you have any questions, connect with Food Services directly at foodserv@uwaterloo.ca.

Students with dietary restrictions/food allergies that cannot be accommodated through Food Services are encouraged to submit the Accessible Housing application or creed-based housing application.

Height accommodations

Taller than 6’5”/198 cm? 

  • Incoming first-year students: please be sure to indicate this when you rank your preferences for room styles, later in June. The majority of extra long twin beds are in Village 1 and Ron Eydt Village. 
  • All other students: please send an email to housing@uwaterloo.ca as early as possible with your full name and 8-digit Waterloo ID number. 

Commonly Asked Questions

Here are some things to keep in mind before you submit your Accessible Housing application.

Can I choose the residence room I get placed in?

While a student may feel strongly they should be placed in a specific residence, assignments are based on the specific and reasonable needs identified in the documentation received, and adherence to the deadline and space availability.

A student does have the right to waive the Accessible Housing recommendation to stay in their current room assignment.

Assigned to residence in St Jerome’s, Renison, United, or Conrad Grebel?

I have previously registered with Accessible Housing, do I need to resubmit?

If you have previously registered with Accessible Housing, and your accommodation supports continue to meet your disability-based needs, you do not need to submit a new application.   

If you have previously registered with Accessible Housing, and your disability-based needs have changed (requiring different and/or additional supports), you must complete a new Accessible Housing Application Form.