Peterborough’s student housing landscape is getting a boost with a new partnership between Trent University, Fleming College, and SpacesShared, a leading home sharing platform. This collaboration aims to address the city’s student housing needs while fostering community engagement and support for older adults.
SpacesShared, known for its innovative home sharing technology, will leverage its platform to match compatible students with hosts interested in home sharing, thereby increasing safe and affordable housing options for students.
Expressing enthusiasm about the partnership, Maureen Adamson, President of Fleming College, highlighted its significance, noting, “This new agreement with SpacesShared will give our students more options when it comes to finding safe and affordable housing in our campus communities. Connecting students with our community while supporting local homeowners is an invaluable step forward.”
Dr. Leo Groarke, president of Trent University, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing, “Trent’s commitment to safe and affordable housing, community support, and aging studies makes our partnership with SpacesShared a strong match. Together with our community partners, Trent is proud to be creating housing opportunities that are mutually beneficial for students and homeowners in Peterborough and the surrounding areas.”
Highlighting the platform’s dedication to ensuring a positive experience for both hosts and students, Rylan Kinnon, CEO of SpacesShared, stated, “We are committed to ensuring a mutually beneficial experience for both hosts and students. Working with Fleming College, Trent University, and Age-friendly Peterborough, we aim to support a thriving community in the city. Our platform is a fully self-contained system further enhancing convenience, that facilitates the entire process from listing details of the property and having a conversation with the host to drafting the rental contract, processing monthly payments, and submitting regular feedback, all within the platform’s secure environment.”
To promote the partnership and encourage older adults to participate as hosts, SpacesShared is collaborating with Age-friendly Peterborough. This initiative aims to enhance the quality of life for older adults by fostering intergenerational connections and supportive communities.
Dawn Berry Merriam, Chair of Age-friendly Peterborough, emphasized the importance of multi-generational opportunities in building a strong community, stating, “The Age-friendly Peterborough Community Action Plan stresses the importance of celebrating multi-generational opportunities to build a strong community for all. SpacesShared empowers two key groups to meet and learn from each other: older adults and a younger generation.”
SpacesShared prioritizes safety by thoroughly verifying identities and conducting background checks on hosts and students.
Those interested in learning more about home sharing are invited to attend a free information session on May 30 at the Lions Community Centre in Peterborough. More information can be found at spacesshared.ca.
(Written by: Scott Arnold)
