16 juin 2026 | Éducation
Housing Crisis Students Under Pressure
When finding a place to live become hard for students even in small regions
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Photo by atlascompany on Freepik
By Naomi Celeste Yomi Mbianda
Publié le 16 juin 2026
Coming to Quebec to study should be exciting but for many students from other countries, but the first problem is not school, it is finding a place to live.
Some have to accept very expensive rent; others stay with friends or family for a short time or live in difficult situations. Even in smaller regions like Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, including the city of Alma, the situation is affected.
The housing crisis makes it hard to find a stable place to live and it creates stress from the beginning of their studies.
Money problems from the start
From the beginning, these students face money problems. According to Statistics Canada, they pay about 10% more rent than students born in Canada. This happens because they do not have easy access to cheaper or subsidized housing and they often rent in the private market, which costs more. Also, many of them do not know the city well, so they do not always know where to find good prices. Because of this, they often need to make quick decisions. Sometimes they accept a place even if it is too expensive or not very comfortable just because they have no other choice.
Not enough housing and everyday problems
The main problem is not only the price, but also the lack of available housing. Radio Canada explains that there are not many apartments available, even in smaller regions. This means students do not have many choices and must take what they can find.
Some students live far from their college or university, which means long travel times every day. This makes them tired and can affect their focus in class. Others share small apartments with many people, which can be uncomfortable and difficult.
Some even stay in temporary places while looking for something better, but it can take a long time to find something. In many cases, housing becomes a constant worry instead of a safe and calm place to live.
A local solution being built
To try to improve the situation, a student residence is being built in downtown Alma. It will have 41 units ready for Fall 2027. This project will give students more housing options at better prices. It will also help reduce pressure on the local rental market.
According to La Presse, having a place to live is now one of the most important factors for international students when they choose a school. This means that having more housing options can help schools in smaller regions attract more students.
The housing crisis is not only about money: it also affects student life and success. The prices are high, the choices are limited and stress is common. Even if new projects like the residence can help, the problem is still serious.
In the end, one question remains: how can we attract students if their first challenge when they arrive is simply finding a place to live?
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