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Housing Injustice: How Foreign Students Are Being Priced Out and Pushed Out

Updated: Dec 8, 2025


Introduction: The Complexity of Canada's Housing Crisis


In many Canadian cities, housing has become a major source of stress for a variety of people, including long-term residents, landlords, immigrants, and students. Everyone has experienced stress and frustration because of the larger housing problem, even though international students are dealing with especially challenging issues. If we wish to solve the issue in an efficient and equitable manner, we must comprehend this complexity.


(Kei, Hou, & Zhang, 2024)


Landlord and Resident Concerns

Numerous landlords and long-standing residents are feeling stressed by increasing housing prices, restricted supply, and tougher regulations. Property owners claim that rising property taxes, insurance costs, and maintenance expenses hinder their ability to provide affordable housing. Some also voice worries about leasing to newcomers without Canadian credit records or referrals, fearing potential financial risks or difficulties in communication. Residents frequently express concerns regarding congested housing in their communities, unregulated basement apartments, and safety issues such as fire dangers or heightened noise levels.


Challenges Faced by International Students

At the same time, the rental market frequently exploits overseas students. Many people report being charged between $700 to $1,200 for small rooms in illegal rooming houses, including situations in which two or more people must share a bed. Some people experience rental fraud, where they are put in dangerous, unregulated basement rentals or lose their deposits to false listings. Crowding is common and can result in serious risks like violence, theft, and fires. These kids just want safe, decent accommodation; they are not asking for special treatment. Although they are essential to local communities and the Canadian economy, many of them feel vulnerable and unsupported.


3. Shared Interests and Common Ground

There is a lot of common ground despite the conflict. Landlords desire predictability, security, and stability. Locals desire responsible housing methods and safe neighbourhoods. Students seek safe housing and equitable treatment. A well-regulated housing market benefits all three groups. Scams, hazardous housing, and overcrowding harm communities, not just students. Additionally, when overseas students receive assistance, they excel academically, make economic contributions, and bolster the local labour market. A system that lowers risk, boosts transparency, and guarantees accessible and safe housing benefits everyone.


4. Balanced Solutions for Safer Housing

A practical approach must effectively address the exploitation of international students while also honouring the concerns of landlords and locals. A sustainable strategy incorporates both viewpoints and creates a system that works more equitably for everyone rather than favouring one over the other.


University and Municipal Housing Partnerships: New buildings, renovated dorms, or specially designated inexpensive units are some ways that local government agencies and educational institutions might collaborate to create more devoted student housing. This ensures that students have safe, reliable options while easing the burden on nearby rentals. Organizations that take on communal responsibility lessen the burden on private landlords and reduce housing overpopulation.

Clear Regulations and Enforcement: Unauthorized rooming houses, unpermitted basements, and ambiguous safety standards are only a few of the challenges that arise in the ambiguous housing sectors. In addition to protecting foreign students from dangerous housing conditions, stricter regulation helps responsible landlords by removing unfair competition from those who lower standards. Communities become safer as a result.


Incentives for Responsible Landlords: Not all landlords are greedy; many only want assistance in order to provide reasonably priced apartments. Governments might offer grants, tax breaks, or expedited licensing to landlords that provide students with secure accommodation and affordable rent. Rather than penalizing all landlords equally, this encourages appropriate behaviour.


Addressing Illegal Rooming Houses

Everyone is protected when dangerous, overcrowded units are closed, including students, friends, neighbours, and emergency personnel. However, to prevent vulnerable students from being pushed into even riskier circumstances, enforcement must be combined with the development of alternative housing options. Enforcing the law in a balanced manner protects communities without uprooting those in need.

 

5. Conclusion: Toward a Fairer Housing System

Injustice in housing for international students is a sign of a much bigger problem that impacts entire communities. We can create ideas that improve the rental market for everyone by recognizing each viewpoint and identifying shared values. Everyone benefits from a safer, more equal, and more stable housing system when the most vulnerable are protected.


Blog Author: Satwinder Kaur December 8, 2025

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