CASA's Vision for Student Housing and Food Insecurity in Post-Secondary Education
OTTAWA, August 16th, 2023 - The Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA) have released their latest report titled Living in The Red, an examination of the food and housing challenges facing Canadian learners in post-secondary education. The report finds that these issues remain critical challenges in the lives of post-secondary students across the country.
The report concludes that when reporting the proportion of funds allocated towards housing, nearly 3 in 4 students (72%) reported they spent 30% or more of their income towards housing costs and nearly 2 in 5 students experienced food insecurity in the past year, with this trend only intensifying as a result of the pandemic.
“Canada’s learners have faced significant financial barriers over the past year. We should not be in a place where students’ finances are pushed closer to the brink with each grocery trip. Students are struggling to afford the essentials, and this report makes that evidently clear.” Sadie, McAlear, CASA Chair.
Considering the findings of the report, CASA stands behind the following principles:
- The federal government has an integral role to play in ensuring that all post-secondary students across Canada have the resources and supports they need to reach their full potential.
- The federal government must maintain accurate and up-to-date data regarding student housing and student food insecurity across Canada.
- Post-secondary students having access to affordable and accessible food and housing options that benefits not only all students, but their communities, the economy, and Canadian society as a whole.
Anticipating growth in the number of students facing food and housing challenges, CASA envisions a future in which all students have access to basic necessities needed to access post-secondary studies across the nation, especially food and housing.
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About CASA
Established in 1995, the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations is a non-partisan, not-for-profit national student organization composed of 25 student associations across the country. Through our partnership with the Quebec Student Union/Union étudiante du Québec, CASA represents 365,000 post-secondary students across Canada.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Canadian Alliance of Student Associations
Max Greer
Communications and Creative Content Officer
(289)-214-8608
