Canadian Student Housing: Key Trends and Local Insights for 2025
Cushman & Wakefield has released its latest Canadian Student Housing Overview, highlighting how the student housing sector continues to show strong performance despite shifting enrolment patterns, changing government policies, and broader economic conditions. The report confirms that student housing remains one of the most resilient real estate asset classes in Canada.
The publication reviews national trends, including domestic and international student demand, rental performance within the multi-residential sector, and emerging investment activity. These insights offer valuable context for landlords, investors, and developers watching this evolving market.
Local Market Spotlight: Waterloo
The report also includes a major transaction from Waterloo, showcasing continued demand in the local student housing market:
- 308 King Street North, Waterloo, ON
- Beds: 659
- Price per Bed: $247,000
- Date: January 2024
- Buyer: Alignvest Student Housing
- Seller: Prica Global Inc.
- Takeaway: Purpose-built in 2023 and located within 2 km of both Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Waterloo. Units include 1- and 2-bedroom layouts plus 8,000 SF of ground-floor retail. The property serves both students and young professionals, with commercial space noted as vacant at the time of sale.
This transaction reflects sustained confidence in Waterloo’s student housing market, supported by strong institutional presence and consistent occupancy trends.
Explore the Full Report
To dive deeper into national student housing data, you can read the full corporate overview and download the PDF report:
