Sheridan College and SpacesShared partner on affordable housing option matching students with older adults

Sheridan College has proudly partnered with SpacesShared, an innovative online homesharing platform, to help solve the growing challenge of affordable student housing.

SpacesShared is designed to facilitate safe and affordable homesharing arrangements for students, connecting them with older adult hosts in the Greater Toronto Area. Leveraging a sophisticated algorithm and dedicated human support staff, SpacesShared ensures the secure matching of compatible students and older adults interested in homesharing. This service will be available to Sheridan students seeking housing options in proximity to their campus communities in Brampton, Mississauga, and Oakville.

“We’re delighted to partner with SpacesShared to expand opportunities for affordable student housing and innovative solutions to aging in place for older adults in our communities,“ said Sheridan President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Janet Morrison. “The well-being of older members of the Canadian population is critical. For the past two decades, Sheridan's Centre for Elder Research (CER) at Sheridan has adapted to shifting trends and challenges that impact an aging population amidst an ever-changing world, never wavering from its mandate to implement innovative strategies that improve the quality of life for older adults and their families, and we see our mission as aligned with SpacesShared.”

“Thanks to research like what is available through CER, 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 aims to create more than just a living arrangement; it seeks to cultivate lasting and meaningful intergenerational relationships.

"I'm thrilled to announce that Sheridan's collaboration with SpacesShared is now available for all learners, with a special emphasis on its role as a safe and affordable housing solution for our international learners,” said Sunand Sharma, Sheridan’s Associate Dean of Community Citizenship and Leadership. “This partnership aligns perfectly with the Brampton Charter’s focus on enhancing the lives of our international students and underlines Sheridan's commitment to innovative solutions. We believe this program will have a tremendously positive impact on students and older adults in our community, especially those from abroad, offering them a secure and budget-friendly housing option."

“We’ve had amazing and enthusiastic feedback about SpacesShared,” said 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 a key solution to student housing needs, and as a support for older adults.”

Become a host: 

Sheridan and SpacesShared invite people in the Greater Toronto Area 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 or connect with Sheridan’s off-campus housing department via email at offcampushousing@sheridancollege.ca.

About SpacesShared

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.