Recently there was a news from Kitchener/Waterloo, Michael Harris, Councillor of Kitchener writing to the president of Conestoga college referring to the inhumane living conditions of international students.
In his communication the councillor had pointed out that the college was enrolling more students than its present
infrastructure can handle. He expressed his displeasure on the fact that the college was not providing
proper and safe housing to it’s students.

That piece of communication, or perhaps something else seems to have taken effect, and as a result there is a good news for international students of Conestoga college.
As a remedial measure to the international students housing crisis, the Conestoga college has reportedly bought two properties.
With the aim of expanding the housing capacity, an effective resolution in set in place for the housing challenges faced by the students and to enhance the overall well-being of students.
The overall plan would provide a secure, comfortable and supportive living environment.
The college announced in a press release that it has bought the building on 400 Albert St. as well as 419 Hazel St., and leased the former Inn of Waterloo.

The inn went through a tragic fire accident in February 2021 and since last December it has been closed. The inn will add 300 rooms and 155 beds will be added by the building on 400 Albert St. as well as 419 Hazel St.
The college said, in total there will be 455 beds, from the three locations.

Conestoga College said it is providing $600,000 to repair the damaged rooms. The work will be completed by Drewlo Holdings – the company that now owns the property.
“The rooms damaged by the fire will be ready for use next January. The other rooms
operated by the hotel – not damaged by fire – will be ready for September,” Bereczki said.
The purchases are part of a series of investments the college is making in student housing.
These acquisitions augment Conestoga’s existing residence in Waterloo at 50 University
Avenue East, which opened to students last fall.

In addition to this, the college has also got other properties this year, which are at 60 University Ave., which is set to open later this year and 22 Frederick St. in Kitchener. The college says it has other properties in the works in Brantford and Milton.
“We know that housing is an integral part of the student experience. By investing in new
facilities, we are helping create a supportive environment that promotes personal and
academic success”

“As our community grows, it is essential that we provide modern and accessible housing
options for our students”, Conestoga vice president of students Trish Weigel Green said in
a press release.

Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe believes it’s a good step forward to ease housing
pressures felt in the city and region.

“We know we need housing to meet the needs of people at every age, stage and ability
and income level,” McCabe said. “Specifically for the Inn of Waterloo, which has been
an iconic building in our community for many, many years. It’s a really good repurposing
of that space.”

Conestoga College was established in Kitchener in 1967. Since then, the college has
expanded to deliver in-demand career and skills training to more than 45,000 students in
the surrounding areas of Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, Brantford, Milton,
Stratford and Ingersoll. Conestoga boasts the top graduation rate of all Ontario colleges at
72.9 per cent, and employers report a 92 per cent satisfaction rate with the college's
graduates. Conestoga’s alumni community adds more than $6.2 billion to Ontario’s
economy each year.