‘We’re in the same cycle every year’; TRU students feel Kamloops’ housing crunch

KAMLOOPS — “We know for a fact there are a lot of students living in townhouses with 10 people, apartments that have two bedrooms with six people living in them,” said Thompson Rivers University (TRU) Student Union Executive Director Nathan Lane.

The housing situations for the students are all unique, but centre around a summer of stress attempting to find somewhere to live.

“When I was looking for housing, it was so difficult. I couldn’t actually find anything. I was ready to stay on the roads. I applied for TRU dorms and was put on a waitlist. Just two days before I was to come to Canada I got a dorm,” said Fargad.

“Kamloops is kind of crazy right now. The influx of housing prices with the lower amounts available. It’s pretty insane to be honest. It’s kind of unobtainable,” added Ginger.

For some, living in Kamloops wasn’t even an option as they’ve been forced to commute into the city from outlying communities like Falkland.

“Last year, I found a place out in Falkland that actually worked. It took me three months to find a place. I said, ‘Okay, I’ll commute.’ This year my schedule is even heavier. I’m living in Falkland full-time but I have a bedroom I’m renting out (in Kamloops) as well,” said Makayla.

Earlier this year, TRU opened temporary dorm units in a former parking lot to help relieve some of the housing pressures facing the student population. While that is not a permanent solution, more housing is in the works.

“It will be about 30 new spaces, when the temporary housing comes down and the long-term housing goes up. I think that will go a little bit of a way. It’s not going to impact affordability. But, I think it will make a difference for students, for sure,” said Lane.

The school is working to open up more dorms, but Lane believes the housing crisis is just a vicious cycle.

“This year, I think everybody who wants to be here is here and has a place even if it’s not the best. But long term, we’re in the same cycle every year on housing and we need to have a long term proactive strategy to get out of it,” stated Lane.