SpacesShared, an innovative online home-sharing platform, is excited to announce new partnerships with the University Niagara College and the University of Niagara Falls Canada to help solve the growing challenge of affordable student housing in the Niagara region.
SpacesShared is a novel homesharing technology that lets students who are looking for a safe, affordable place to stay quickly and affordably connect with older adult hosts. Using a sophisticated algorithm and a team of people, SpacesShared matches compatible students and older adults interested in homesharing. SpacesShared was launched in 2023 as a response to the Canadian housing crisis with a solution that prioritizes connection, comfort, and community.
"This partnership with SpacesShared is an important part of Niagara College's overall housing action plan that was announced last year," says Niagara College President Sean Kennedy. "The College is committed to rapidly expanding housing options for students, including a commitment to break ground on a new student residence in 2024. SpacesShared offers a safe and affordable housing option and will enhance the experience of our students."
"UNF's focus is on building the most innovative and future-ready institution in Canada. We believe this applies to everything we do, not only academics. Partnering with SpacesShared is one part of our plan to create safe and affordable housing solutions for our incoming students," says Cyndi McLeod, CEO of GUS Canada. "The reality is there are so many good homes out there with vacant rooms, and there are many students looking for housing - we just needed an innovator like SpacesShared to connect the dots. And this is about more than just housing - it gives our students an opportunity to build connections in the community and make a positive impact in the lives of their hosts."
"At SpacesShared, we know that for older adults, aging in place is top of mind, and that it doesn't take a lot to help someone stay in their home happily, safely, for longer," said Rylan Kinnon, CEO of SpacesShared. "We urge older adults with a room to spare to learn how easy it is to support aging in place with the help of SpacesShared."
By considering factors ranging from hobbies to lifestyle preferences, and field of study, the platform creates more than just a living arrangement; it also helps cultivate lasting and meaningful intergenerational relationships.
"We've had amazing and enthusiastic feedback about SpacesShared," says Kinnon. "The stories we've heard about our matches are truly inspiring. Now we are working to scale up this project and establish homesharing as one important solution to student housing needs, and as a support for older adults. We encourage older adults in Niagara to take a look and decide if homesharing is right for them."
Become a host:
University of Niagara Falls, Niagara College and SpacesShared invite people in the Niagara Region to become part of this important program. Older adults with available space are encouraged to sign up and help students secure a comfortable living environment while benefiting from the joy of intergenerational homesharing.
People interested in becoming hosts or seeking more information should visit www.spacesshared.ca.
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About Niagara College
Niagara College has a full-time enrolment of 11,000 students from over 95 countries, who study in 130 diploma, certificate and bachelor degree programs at specialized campuses in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Niagara College is also involved in educational projects and partnerships around the world and is ranked as Canada's top research college. Learn more at niagaracollege.ca.
About University of Niagara Falls Canada
University of Niagara Falls Canada (UNF) is committed to cultivating an academic community that prepares graduates for leadership in a digital world. Through its professionally oriented undergraduate and graduate degrees, UNF promotes interactive and innovative educational experiences focused on careers in high-demand fields. Classes start on the downtown Niagara Falls campus this spring. Find out more at unfc.com.
About SpacedShared
SpacesShared is a homesharing technology platform that empowers two key groups to meet each other: older adults and students. Launched in 2023, SpacesShared is responding to the Canadian housing crisis with a solution that prioritizes connection, comfort, and community. Students looking for a safe, affordable place to stay can now quickly and affordably connect with older adult hosts who would like some extra income, help around the house, and an opportunity to give back. The platform is entirely self-contained from application, to agreement, rent and relationship management on its website. It's a new way to honour an old tradition: opening homes to people and experiences that enrich lives and communities.
For more information about homesharing through SpacesShared, or to register for a free account as a host or a student, visit spacesshared.ca.
