KAWARTHA LAKES-Not a good start to the school year for hundreds of Fleming College students after they arrived to find they have no place to stay.
Local real estate professional Jay Lough Hayes says she’s had numerous calls from groups of International Students desperate to find housing. “I feel ill for the students that have paid all this money to come to Canada and then are told after they’ve paid their money and the college looks good, go find some place and best of luck.” Hayes told Kawartha 411.
Fleming says they expect to welcome over 3,600 first year students this fall across all four campuses and anticipate international enrolment to be approximately 30% of total enrolment.
“We do acknowledge that housing is an issue in all areas, and we are committed to working collaboratively with all levels of government to play an active role where appropriate.” Sara O’Halloran, Communications, Fleming College, told Kawartha 411. “While on-campus residences are booked now, there is still space available at the Severn Court complex adjacent to the Sutherland Campus.”
O’Halloran says the college has an off-campus housing team that works to match up students with landlords and other housing services in the community although it’s not clear if they have been on the job the last few days.
This highlights a larger problem in Peterborough and surrounding areas. With vacancy rates already extremely low the added influx puts additional strain on the system.
“Peterborough on a good day offers .5%. vacancy rate so with that information, we have no place to put Peterborough residents and then along come an extra 1500 overbooked from Sir Sandford another thousand overbooked from Trent, clogging the already housing situation.” comments Hayes.
Hayes says international students are at a disadvantage because they find out later if they are accepted and then have to work on getting visa’s. The college disputes that. “All acceptances are issued with ample time to explore accommodation options.”
It’s unlcear if language barriers play a role.
The College says it makes every effort to assist all students in finding housing. “Our off-campus housing office has been working closely with the International Student Services department at Fleming to support all students at all stages. Free stays in either residence or local hotels is provided upon arrival if necessary.” Drew Van Parys Executive Director, Marketing & Recruitment siad on Tuesday Septemer 3. “Housing staff are available and responding to student inquiries providing one-on-one case management and drop-in hours. Additionally, the off-campus housing email is monitored 24/7, including coverage over the long weekend.”
Van Pary’s says Fleming College has increased staffing resources by 75% over the last year with the expansion of the off-campus housing office and have tripled the number of workshops and sessions for those international students who have not arranged for housing prior to their arrival.
He also says housing is available in a number of places. “Places4Students currently has 85 listings in Peterborough and 58 listings in Lindsay. As of Friday, Severn Court, the off-campus private residence in Peterborough, had 50 vacancies. The townhouses on Airport Road also had six vacancies. These are traditionally full before start up.”
Anyone who is experiencing issues with housing to contact Flemin’s housing department at [email protected] or 705-749-5100
“The college always encourages students to plan ahead and be aware of the accommodation options available and the associated costs.” says O’Halloran.
If anyone has a room or apartment available you can call Jay at Guardian Property Management at 705-741-1444.
