Colleges, universities have role to play in solutions to housing crisis: report

In a recent report published by the Smart Prosperity Institute for Ontario’s Big City Mayors (OBCM), Mike Moffatt argues that colleges and universities have a vital role to play in addressing the broader housing crisis. Moffatt writes that the federal, provincial, and municipal governments; builders and developers; and organized labour and postsecondary sectors must coordinate their efforts to address Ontario’s housing crisis. Canada’s postsecondary sector plays a two-part role in this: Training the next generation of skilled workers to support the development of new housing and ensuring that adequate housing is available to support enrolments. Moffatt also notes that some institutions have land that could be used for desperately needed student residences.