Georgian College partners up to address housing situation
Georgian College students will soon have more options for finding somewhere to live.
The college is teaming up with SpacesShared, a "technology platform that connects students who need a place to live with older adults living at home to create mutually beneficial sharing arrangements."
It allows older adults to safely rent out a room to students, providing the rentee extra income, companionship and someone who can help with chores.
The partnership offers students an affordable housing option, according to the college.
"Georgian is committed to continuing to play a key role in driving our region's economy by attracting and training our future workforce," said Suzie Addison-Toor, Georgian College's vice president of student success, in a press release Wednesday.
"We need safe and affordable housing for our students because if they don't have access to that, it puts up huge barriers to being successful in academia, which puts up barriers to being successful in life.
"We also know this kind of program can also help with social isolation – both for students who may be far from home and for seniors in our community."
The first phase is launching in the Barrie area and focuses on "building a pool of older adults who wish to open their home to a student for a semester or school year."
The second phase allows students to create profiles on the SpacesShared platform to connect with compatible hosts.
"Older adults and students are two groups who have so much to offer one another, which is why we wanted to build a safe space for them to meet and match," said Rylan Kinnon, SpacesShared CEO, in a press release Wednesday.
"We've made our platform really user-friendly — if you can use Facebook, you can use SpacesShared."
Georgian College says it's the first postsecondary institution to launch on the platform and that SpacesShared is customizing a program for the school.
"We both see students in need of affordable housing alternatives, and SpacesShared's vision is built around that connection to close the gap," Addison-Toor said.
Anyone who has a spare room or knows somebody fit for the program is asked to sign up at SpacesShared.ca.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Iran fires air defence batteries in provinces as sound of explosions heard near Isfahan
Iran fired air defence batteries early Friday morning after reports of explosions near the city of Isfahan, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.