Like many post-secondary students in Ontario, Jade Fletcher had a tough time finding affordable housing while attending Georgian College in Barrie. “Especially with the way that prices have skyrocketed to rent and stuff. I don’t think I would really afford anything over $1,000 a month for rent,” says Fletcher. Fletcher is one of a dozen local students who have tapped into a housing program being offered in the city for the first time. The program is run by Sparrow, a shared living platform that has partnered with the college to match local homeowners with students looking for affordable accommodations. “It’s really a win-win for both sides. For the students, they are able to find a room for rent at an affordable price point. For homeowners who are looking for additional ways to earn some supplementary income, this provides a great way for them to do that by renting out the extra space,” says Oren Singer with Sparrow. Sparrow already offers the program in several Ontario communities and parts of British Columbia. The company arranges house tours, matches prospective renters and homeowners, and manages monthly agreements. Georgian College says the program is helping address the affordability challenges many students face. “We are seeing that rental costs for a room through Sparrow is between around $730 and $850 a month, which is incredibly affordable, and it’s a safe environment for our students,” says Suzie Addison-Toor with Georgian College in Barrie. Just a few months after launching in Barrie, Sparrow says it already has about 120 rooms available, with roughly 50 students signed up. “Millions of vacant rooms across Canada, and our job is to help unlock some of that supply and introduce it to the rental market,” says Singer. Fletcher, who pays just over $700 a month, says she would recommend the program to any student searching for affordable housing. “I just really enjoy it, and I am really thankful I was able to find it because it has really helped me out a lot,” says Fletcher. Those interested in participating in the program can contact Georgian College or Sparrow directly.
