Short Term and Emergency Housing
When you first get to Canada (or even before you get here) you can contact a travel agency or use CanadaTravel.ca to find a place to stay. You can also find places to stay at worldweb.com.
Many places have daily, weekly, or monthly rates. Some options are:
- Hostels for travelers
- College and university residences (from May to August for non-students and families)
- Apartment hotels
- Budget or discount hotels and motels
- Guesthouses or bed and breakfasts
You can sublet a house or apartment if you want to rent for only a few months. Subletting means that you rent from another renter. You can find sublets in the newspaper or college and university housing services as many students leave the city from May to August.
Housing for Students
If you are a foreign student, contact the international students’ office at your college or university. They can help you find both short and long-term housing. Many schools have student residences on campus, and keep lists of rooms and apartments for rent off campus. Some schools also offer home-stay programs that place you with a local family.
Emergency Shelter
If you need a place to sleep for a short time, there are groups that provide shelter in the area. Shelters are for people who have no safe place to sleep and no money for rent. You can stay for a few nights or sometimes longer. Some services are specifically for:
- Homeless people
- Women or men getting away from abuse
- Youth who have problems at home
- People with mental challenges or physical disabilities
The Region of Waterloo Social Services has more information about shelters.
For more information…