UPEI Student Union considers student-senior shared housing

UPEI's student union is exploring the possibility of housing students in the homes of seniors.

It's called co-housing and it's being used at several Canadian universities as an option when affordable housing is limited.

Emma Drake, vice-president academic and external at the UPEI student union, said the idea cameafter seeing successful co-housing programs at schools like McMasterUniversity in Ontario.

She said the student union issued an informal survey to see if there was interest from students and received134 responses mostly positive from a wide range of students.

While she had hoped to get more input, she said the range ofanswersreflected the diversity of thecampus community and indicated support for the idea.

Student-senior contract

Drake said she's met with Clifford Lee, the special adviser for the province's housing action plan, for his input on the program.

She said the student union also plans to contact other community groups who may be interestedif the project goes forward.

Some respondents were sayingsome of my friends are living on couches right now, or there's fivepeople living in a three bedroom apartment.- Emma Drake, UPEIStudent Union

Co-housing arrangements can differ depending on theeducational institution.

At McMasterUniversity, students get a break on their rentin exchange for light housework orcompanionship.

Drake said she views the potential program at UPEIasa contract between a senior and astudent where both parties decide on a living arrangement.

'Affordable rate for students'

"I think it will really just be up to the individuals, but in the hopes that it will be overall an affordable rate for students," she said.

The student union will help administerapplications, she said, and a vetting process will be involved.

She said housingclose to the university isan important factor for students, as wellas year-round rental options.

Drake said she sees this alternative optionas a solution to the current housing shortage for students.

"Throughout our surveysome respondents were saying some of my friends are living on couches right now, or there's fivepeople living in a three bedroom apartment."

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