The Owen Sound Campus of Georgian College is growing. One hundred new first-year students will begin classes on the Owen Sound Campus of Georgian College in January, and many are currently looking for rental housing.
Georgian is asking the community to help ensure rental housing is in place to support students who will become the future workforce.
“Housing a student provides an opportunity to earn extra income, support student success, and support the long-term economic prosperity of Grey Bruce,” said Dave Shorey, Owen Sound Campus Executive Director. “It can also provide connections. We hear wonderful stories from both students and landlords about life-long friendships that have resulted from renting a room.”
Balaji Dhananajay, A.J. for short, is a student from Singapore in the Marine Technology – Navigation program. “Having my landlord is a blessing,” he said. “The best part about staying with her is she makes me feel like I am at home, and it’s a feeling I really need as being away from my family is hard and she makes up for it as much as possible.”
Homeowners who have a spare room, or an entire house or apartment to rent, are encouraged to post their listing on Places4Students.com. Georgian partners with this company that specializes in off-campus housing for postsecondary students, and will waive the fee for local landlords to post their listings.
New students arriving at the Owen Sound Campus in January will study either Power Engineering Technology or Practical Nursing – both programs critical to the Grey Bruce workforce. The new Honours Bachelor of Science – Nursing degree will also bring hundreds of new students to campus over the coming years, to fill critically needed registered nursing positions right here at home. They too may come from out of the area and will need to find accommodation.
“We’ve heard from Grey Bruce employers about the escalating labour shortage, and are responding with new programs and increasing enrolment in in-demand fields such as engineering technology and health and wellness,” said Shorey. “The ability to find appropriate, affordable accommodation is an important factor for students who are choosing between Georgian and other postsecondary institutions.”
To learn more about the experiences of current students and landlords, and how you can help, visit GeorgianCollege.ca/owensoundhousing.
source: media release
