Nova Scotia is facing unprecedented challenges with housing affordability, and the impacts are being felt by post-secondary students across the province. Post-secondary students studying in rural Nova Scotia are increasingly faced with a lack of affordable, adequate and suitable housing options, leading to struggles with finances, mental health, and meeting basic needs. Much of student housing research has focused on student residence design preferences in large urban centers, and there is a need to understand student housing realities outside of these contexts, accounting not only for built form but the ways in which housing supports or hinders holistic student success and wellbeing. 

The Building Affordable Student Housing in College Towns of Nova Scotia Partnership between Student Housing Nova Scotia, Nova Scotia Community College, and TDL was formed to address this critical knowledge gap. By learning more about student housing experiences and realities in rural Nova Scotia, this partnership aims to co-develop context-specific policy, program and design solutions that better meet student-identified housing needs.

Guided by curiosity, the project began by asking: 

What barriers do post-secondary students in rural Nova Scotia face when accessing housing? How can housing best meet the needs of post-secondary students in rural Nova Scotia? What factors impact student’s current housing situations in rural Nova Scotia? How does housing impact holistic student success and wellbeing?

Who was involved?

The project is ongoing and being conducted in partnership with Student Housing Nova Scotia and Nova Scotia Community College.

What types of engagement occurred? 

Exploratory Conversations

TDL met with housing professionals working to improve student housing in Nova Scotia to gain a better understanding of the specific impacts the housing shortage has had on student housing in this context. 

Student Housing Survey

TDL designed a virtual survey to collect quantitative data about the housing realities of students across rural Nova Scotia. This survey extends beyond questions about built form to inquire about housing trajectories, financial stability, academic engagement, access to transportation and feelings about lived environments. 

Student Housing Focus Groups

Survey learnings are being verified and expanded upon through virtual focus groups with Nova Scotia students facilitated by TDL. Focus groups will collect complimentary qualitative data to support a more fulsome account of student housing experiences in rural Nova Scotia. 

What was learned?

Results and recommendations are anticipated to be shared in Fall 2026.

Funding Acknowledgement

The Building Affordable Student Housing in College Towns of Nova Scotia Partnership is supported in part by funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. 

This research is also supported by contributions from Student Housing Nova Scotia.