The partnership involves joint research on student and older adult housing challenges, as well as the development of new products to enhance both companies’ offerings.
The partnership involves joint research on student and older adult housing challenges, as well as the development of new products to enhance both companies’ offerings.
International student health insurance provider guard.me has teamed up with home-sharing platform SpacesShared in response to the pressing need for safe and affordable student housing in Canada.
Keith Segal, president and global CEO of guard.me, expressed the shared commitment to making a positive impact on people’s lives, according to a press release.
“Our purpose is to help make a difference in people’s lives — a value we share with SpacesShared,” said Segal.
“We hear from our partners and the students we support about the need for more safe and affordable housing options, so when we learned about SpacesShared, we knew we wanted to be involved,” he said. “Because this project also provides a new way for older adults to age in place, it is truly a win-win for Canada.”
SpacesShared facilitates the sharing of spare bedrooms in homes of older adults with students, ensuring a safe and straightforward process through meticulous vetting.
The partnership involves joint research on student and older adult housing challenges, as well as the development of new products to enhance both companies’ offerings.
“From our first host to our most recent, we have been so encouraged and humbled by the growing community response – from hosts who understand the challenges students face in accessing safe and affordable housing, and from students who understand the value and opportunity that comes from living and learning from an older adult,” said Rylan Kinnon, CEO and co-Founder of SpacesShared.
“guard.me’s reputation as a collaborative partner and problem solver in the postsecondary sector makes them a natural partner for us as we expand and enhance our platform to be as safe and sustainable as possible,” he added.
As part of the collaboration, guard.me will invest in SpacesShared to support the expansion of its team and enhance its technology, furthering its mission across Canada.
In the coming months, guard.me and SpacesShared will facilitate the launch of the SpacesShared platform in postsecondary schools across the country, ensuring trust and confidence for all involved.
For older homeowners interested in participating, SpacesShared encourages them to visit spacesshared.ca to explore whether their space aligns with the platform’s mission.
With 25 years of experience in providing health insurance for the international education market, guard.me is dedicated to ensuring the well-being and protection of international students around the world.
SpacesShared, launched in 2023, is a home-sharing technology platform designed to connect two crucial demographics: older adults and students.
The platform responds to Canada’s housing crisis by prioritizing connection, comfort, and community. It offers a streamlined process from application to agreement, rent, and relationship management on its website, revitalizing the tradition of opening homes to enrich lives and communities.
Canada’s Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada earlier announced its plan to reassess its international student program to enhance support and selection procedures, responding to the country’s housing shortage.
“The Department is undertaking a review of the program to examine how it can better select and retain students while ensuring that they are well-supported while in Canada,” the IRCC said in an interview with Erudera.
The potential introduction of Canada’s first cap on international student admissions is being discussed to tackle affordability challenges, a suggestion proposed by former Canadian Housing Minister Sean Fraser.
Despite concerns, Immigration Minister Marc Miller and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reject blaming international students for the housing crisis, emphasizing a need for a comprehensive approach.
The cabinet is deliberating on the link between immigration targets and housing challenges, with advocacy groups cautioning against such connections.
Official data indicates a substantial increase in international student numbers from 275,000 in 2012 to over 800,000 in 2022.
Projections suggest that the number of international students in Canada may exceed 900,000 this year.
Recent data from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada also revealed an increase in the number of international students obtaining permanent residency in Canada.
In 2005, 8,565 former international students were granted permanent residency, a number that has risen substantially to 19,330 in the first three quarters of 2023, as reported by Immigration.ca.
Ontario remains the leading destination for permanent residents who were former international students. In 2015, Ontario welcomed 2,725 permanent residents, surpassing Alberta by 1,025 admissions. By the third quarter of 2023, Ontario admitted a remarkable 6,760 permanent residents with prior study permit holder status.
British Columbia emerged as the second leading province in 2023, with 4,195 permanent residents, reflecting a substantial increase of 2,770 admissions. Quebec maintains its third position with 2,115 permanent residents, followed by Alberta in fourth place with 1,900 admissions. The data underscores the attractiveness of Canada as a destination for international students seeking to establish permanent residency.
Meanwhile, according to data from Statista, the country welcomes around 500,000 new immigrants annually, placing it among the countries with the highest per capita immigration rates worldwide.
As of 2022, the country boasts a permanent resident population exceeding eight million, making up approximately 20 percent of the total Canadian population.
