Housing for International Students

Project Lead

Team Members

Sub-Theme: Housing and Migration

This sub-theme explores the impact of the rapid increase in immigration on the housing market in various regions of Canada and the challenges that immigrants, refugees and international students encounter in securing housing.

Objective

This project seeks to examine the key challenges and supports accessible to international students in Canada related to housing and associated programs.

Research Questions

What are the key challenges that international students are facing in relation to the availability and accessibility to housing, services, programs, and amenities?
What are the existing housing initiatives that help promote community bonding and support the integration for international students?
What are the key learnings from national and international case studies that address community partnerships to build inclusive housing infrastructure for international students?
What role can higher education institutions and community stakeholders play in supporting international students?

Methodology

This study uses mixed methods including policy review, secondary research, case studies, quantitative analysis of census data, and interviews with international students and community stakeholders.

Outcomes

Publications

Zhuang, Zhixi Cecilia (2025). Welcoming Campus, Inclusive Community: Building Housing Infrastructure for International Students. Toronto Metropolitan University. Journal contribution. https://doi.org/10.32920/30340252.v1 (external link)

Zhuang, Z., & Krywulak, J. (2025). Rethinking positionality, pedagogy, and implications for planning practice: A case study of an international student housing studio project. OPPI Planning Exchange Blog.

Past events and presentations:

“Comparing housing experiences of international and domestic students in Ontario and Alberta: Preliminary survey findings,” presented by Zhuang, Z. C., Banerjee, R., Akbar, R., El Toukhy, M., & Krywulak, J., Welcoming Campus, Inclusive Community: Building Housing Infrastructure, Toronto, Canada, June 2025.
“International students’ housing struggles and resilience in the GTA: Barriers, strategies, and impacts on wellbeing,” presented by Zhuang, Z. C., El Toukhy, M., & Krywulak, J., Welcoming Campus, Inclusive Community: Building Housing Infrastructure, Toronto, Canada, June 2025.
“Housing as a human right: Addressing Canada’s housing challenges for international students,” presented by Zhuang, Z. C., UAA, Vancouver, 2025.
“Building inclusive housing infrastructure for international students,” panel session Navigating Policies and Narratives: Housing, Employment, and Lived Experiences of International Students, organized by Zhuang, Z. C., 2025.
“Building inclusive housing infrastructure for international students: A Greater Toronto Area case study,” presented by Zhuang, Z. C., CESA Conference, Edmonton, Canada, Novemeber 2024.
“Welcoming campus, inclusive community: Building housing infrastructure for international students,” presented by Zhuang, Z. C., ACSP Conference, Seattle, USA, 2024.
Panelist, “Geographies of international students,” presented by Zhuang, Z. C., Canadian Association of Geographers (CAG) Conference, St. John’s, Canada, 2024.
“Welcoming campus, inclusive community: Building housing infrastructure for international students,” presented by Zhuang, Z. C., El Toukhy, M., & Krywulak, J., Bridging Divides Research Dialogue Series, Toronto, 2024.
“City-Builder Perspectives on Emerging Housing Opportunities and Challenges,” presented by Zhuang, Z., Urban Economy Forum + ISOCARP World Planning Congress, Toronto, October 2023.