Help a student find a home
Aug. 6, 2024
The Owen Sound Campus of Georgian College is growing. More new students arrive every semester. And they need safe and affordable places to live.
If you have a spare room, or an entire house or apartment to rent, please post it through Georgian partners SpacesShared or Places4Students.com. SpacesShared is a technology platform that connects students who need a place to live with older adults living at home to create mutually beneficial sharing arrangements. Places4Students.com specializes in off-campus housing for postsecondary students.
Do you have a spare room in your home but have never rented before? This is your opportunity to earn extra income, support student success, and support our future workforce. Read what we hear from our students and landlords in Owen Sound.
Meet Betty and A.J., a landlord-student pair
When Betty Cutting first rented a spare room to a Georgian College student, she admits to being a bit apprehensive about having a stranger in her home. Today she says, “That was four students ago, and having each one of them here has been nothing but a blessing.”
Balaji Dhananajay, A.J. for short, is Betty’s current tenant. The 21 year old from Singapore is a student in the Marine Technology – Navigation program. And like many students, he had a difficult time finding somewhere to rent when he arrived in Owen Sound.
He uses the same description as Betty, saying, “Having her as my landlord is a blessing. I can’t believe how I got so lucky. Betty is one of the most caring, down to earth, and honest people I have ever met. She is so loving to me like my own grandmother.”
While many students and landlords prefer a more traditional rental arrangement, Betty’s and A.J.’s relationship has become more like family. They shared A.J.’s first ever Hallowe’en, handing out candy to neighbourhood children. He occasionally pitches in with chores like gardening because he enjoys it and wants to help. And while he shops for and cooks his own meals, they sometimes sit down to dinner together.
“The best part about staying with Betty is she makes me feel like I am at home,” says A.J., “and it’s a feeling I think I really need as being away from my family is hard and she makes up for it as much as possible.”
Betty believes she gets as much out of renting to students like A.J. as they do. “The rent does help me out financially,” she says. “And it’s a comfort just having someone else in the house. It’s also a great experience to get to know some of the young people who will graduate as the leaders of tomorrow and feel I’ve maybe helped on their path along the way.”
A.J is hopeful more people will consider renting to his fellow students. “Sometimes landlords don’t rent to students because they think they are too immature and always want to party and enjoy life,” he says. “I think the truth is that most students, maybe especially international students, want to study and do well in life and not waste the efforts their parents took to send them to a country abroad. If a landlord could provide them with a nice and safe place to stay, they might help someone grow into something bigger.”
Meet Bruce
Bruce Ronald began renting to Georgian College students 15 years ago, shortly after his wife passed away and his children had left home. Since then he’s had dozens of tenants, all young men from India. And he’s more of a surrogate uncle than a landlord. Here’s his story in his own words:
Since taking in my first few students, I’ve never advertised. It’s all been word of mouth – as one student leaves, another arrives. My arrangement, I know, is different than most landlords. I usually do their cooking and laundry. I drive them to school or their part-time jobs. We go on excursions to Inglis Falls or Meaford, and they’re in awe of the beauty of Canada. Some students are Muslim and I connect them with the local mosque, others are Catholic and I’ve taken them to the Catholic church.
I fly the Indian flag to welcome them. They’ve come on a long flight halfway around the world. If you or I got dropped off somewhere in India, we’d feel good to see the Canadian flag.
They’re not used to the cold and when we had the first snow, one student thought that was going to be it. I said, ‘you haven’t seen anything yet.’
For some, their parents are mortgaging their houses and farms to give them this opportunity. One student saw his room and couldn’t believe it was all for him – at home he slept in the living room with his parents and sister.
They get part-time jobs to help support themselves and I make sure they know about their rights and minimum wage. They’re not here to mess around, they’re here to learn and better themselves. One young man got 97 percent on his math exam and said ‘I’ll have to study harder.’
Being a landlord gives me an income, but I also feel like I’m helping and doing a little something for somebody. You get so much back. I hear thank you over and over again. One former student phoned to tell me he’d fallen in love and to invite me to the wedding. Another actually gave his son the middle name Ronald.
All of my students have found jobs when they graduated, most of them in Canada. I like to see them succeed. One drove up recently in his brand new car, so proud to show me what he’d been able to achieve. They worked hard to get an education. Now they’re making money, paying taxes, contributing. And I say, ‘good for you. You’re my future. You’re Canada’s future.’
“We have seen ongoing growth, as our suite of health care programs has expanded to include multiple Honours Bachelor of Science – Nursing cohorts, growing Practical Nursing enrolment, and the launch of our Honours Bachelor of Science – Nursing RPN to BScN Advanced Standing Pathway (Bridge). We are also experiencing growth in our engineering technology and Skilled Trades programs, including marine and power engineering, Marine Technology – Navigation, and the many techniques programs that help people get employment in construction and industrial trades.”
Dave Shorey, Executive Director, Owen Sound Campus
Information for landlords
Assess your space
Potential landlords may want to consider a few elements that make an ideal student rental.
- Accommodations must be clean, safe and secure.
- Students need access to cooking facilities to prepare their own meals.
- High-speed internet is needed to complete homework.
- Access to laundry is preferred.
- And affordability is key – some students may even want to share a room to save money.
Shorter rentals
Not all students are in full-time programs. Some come to the Owen Sound Campus for apprenticeship or other shorter-term programs and may need to rent for only a few weeks. You could rent out your room on a short-term basis to see if you enjoy the experience and want to continue more permanently.
Homestay experience
Georgian also offers a homestay program which pairs homeowners and international students in a more family-like arrangement, usually including meals. Learn more at our homestay partner, Canada Homestay Network.
Post your listing
Are you ready to post your listing?
Safe, affordable housing is always needed for students at all seven Georgian campuses.
Connect with us
Questions about becoming a landlord?
We’re here to help. For any of our campuses, please contact: housing@georgiancollege.ca or call 249.388.1854.