Single parents and university students are among Canada's most financially-challenged groups when it comes to having enough left over each month to pay their rent. Single parents who are also full-time students face unique financial stress. While they may be ready to make drastic cuts to afford their education, they want to shield their children from financial hardship. In fact, many return to university or continuing their schooling to escape poverty and ensure a secure future for their children.

With the cost of university tuition and books continuing to rise, the government's recently-announced test project to increase the supply of affordable rental housing for single-parent students seems overdue. Thorough the Canada -- Nova Scotia Affordable Housing Agreement, a few low-income single parents attending university will have access to more affordable rental housing under the Affordable Student Housing Pilot Program.

The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) December 2005 study entitled "Fairness in Education for Single Parents in Nova Scotia" revealed that, even when single-parent students access every available financial support, including student loans and grants, they cannot cover their basic living expenses. The CCPA is an independent, non-partisan research institute concerned with issues of social and economic justice. This national non-profit offers analysis and policy ideas to the media, general public, academia, government, and social justice and labour organizations.

CCPA research revealed that, over the eight-month school year, single-parent students face budget shortfalls ranging from C$1,440 to C$3,320. Researchers concluded that single-parent university students are forced to choose between meeting their family's immediate basic needs and going to university. Since 90 per cent of single parents in Nova Scotia are women, this group is disproportionately affected.

Through the Affordable Student Housing Pilot Program, rent supplements are now available for 30 low-income single-parent students enrolled full-time at university. The recently-announcement 15 units are added to the original 15 supplements announced in November 2005. Qualification involves two main criteria:

• Students must also be eligible for public housing and approved for Nova Scotia student assistance.

• Their apartments must have been safety inspected and approved by the local housing authority.

Thirteen families are already participating in the program, which began last year at Acadia University, Cape Breton University and St. Francis Xavier University. Other Atlantic universities like Mount Saint Vincent, Dalhousie and Saint Mary's are providing additional assistance to meet the needs of single-parent students participating in this program. CMHC suggests that single parents interested in applying for the affordable student housing pilot program contact their local housing authority.

Single-parent students struggling to make ends meet, care for their children and earn a degree may be pleased to hear the government has acknowledged their need. But will significant financial support come in time to remove barriers to education?

Most students returning to Canadian universities for undergraduate studies this fall faced higher increases in tuition than last year -- on average 3.2 per cent more in tuition fees. This represents almost twice the rate in the previous academic year.

Forward-thinking parents and grandparents who'd like to find a real estate solution to their children's and grandchildren's university housing needs may want to consult an experienced real estate professional to explore their options.

Sources: CMHC, Stats Can, BC gov, CCPA, Dalhousie University

Published: October 10, 2006

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