NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGION
*************************
THOROLD — Niagara Region is working to improve housing for post-secondary students by supporting a new Post-secondary Student Housing Strategy.
This strategy, a part of the Region’s broader Attainable Housing Strategy, aims to optimize existing housing stock, enhance the availability and quality of student accommodations, and address the growing housing needs of Niagara’s students.
The strategy focuses on five main areas: collecting data, increasing the supply of housing (both on-campus and off-campus), securing funding and advocating for change from other levels of government, creating effective policies, and building partnerships. While it addresses the specific needs of students, it could also help open up more rental options for other groups in the community who are struggling to find housing.
A key part of developing the strategy was consulting with major local schools like Brock University and Niagara College and supporting work with existing area municipal efforts. Through meetings, data collection, and site visits, the Region has gathered important information about the current state of student housing.
The strategy's recommendations include specific actions to improve the quality and availability of student housing, learn from best practices across Canada, and improve collaboration between post-secondary institutions, housing providers, and all levels of government. The implementation of these actions will involve working together and continuing to engage with key partners to create better housing options for students and the community.
QUOTES:
"We’ve worked closely with local post-secondary institutions, housing providers, municipal partners, and other interested parties to understand the full scope of the student housing challenges in Niagara. This strategy is a product of that collaboration and provides a roadmap that will benefit both students and the broader community." – Michelle Sergi, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer
"We are excited to move forward with a strategy that will facilitate the growth of student housing options in Niagara. This work is aimed at unlocking our existing housing supply, and by building partnerships with key interested parties, we can ensure that the recommendations outlined in the strategy are not only practical but also innovative, creating viable long-term housing solutions for students and the entire region." – Matt Robinson, Director of Partnerships and Communication
*************************
