As young people make their way to college and university campuses across the country, the housing shortage is more evident than ever.

There are wait lists for residences and high rental rates both on and off campus. Housing scarcity has led to anxiety among students and parents alike. 

In the last decade, there has been a growing interest in the way physical environments affect our health. Poor air quality may increase rates of asthma, allergies and even infectious respiratory diseases. An extension of this concept is how mental health can be affected by one’s physical environment.

Earlier this year, simplydbs partnered with Forum Asset Management. The goal was to understand the link between mental well-being and student housing, including the amenities and programming that are being offered.

A deep dive into the data revealed a strong correlation. It was found that amenities, services, property management, suite layout and community (activations, programming and experiences) all influence well-being to some degree.

The data gathered powers developers and managers to develop an understanding of what can be done to improve student well-being from a housing perspective, powering the industry to tackle issues collectively.

Over 600 students replied to survey

Over 600 students responded to the open-access survey, which was distributed within student residences across Canada and also made available by way of direct contact. The average MHI-5 score among Canadian students who responded to the survey was 53. This is lower than the most recent European average of 57.

The Mental Health Index - 5 (MHI-5) is an international standard for measuring a person’s mental health. It is scored between 0-100 where 0 is the lowest and 100 is the highest. It is based on aggregated responses to five well-being questions. 

By layering MHI-5 scores of survey respondents onto the satisfaction scores of different components of student living, simplydbs is now able to better understand the way student housing impacts resident mental health and highlights pathways for improvement going forward. 

When you parse out various demographic markers - for example, gender and nationality - the data tells an even more compelling story. Housing providers armed with this information are able to target their efforts to reach the most vulnerable residents.

Feelings of isolation, loneliness and homesickness were universal. However, building community through social events and programming were found to be effective tools to combat these feelings.

Creating community, fostering inclusiveness

There are opportunities to create community and foster inclusiveness within a student living environment and this is crucial for enhancing the overall experience. A supportive community encourages collaboration, friendship, and mutual respect among students from diverse backgrounds, promoting a sense of belonging. 

Inclusive practices, such as organizing culturally and gender diverse events, providing resources for mental health, and ensuring accessible facilities, help to accommodate the varied needs of all students. An inclusive environment not only supports academic success but also nurtures personal growth, making the living experience enriching and harmonious for everyone involved.

What student accommodation provides in the way of amenities and inclusions has the potential to support mental health.

According to those who were surveyed, 88 per cent said including utilities in the price of rent was either essential or nice to have. High-speed wireless internet was important to 87 per cent of respondents and providing on-site fitness facilities was important to 85 per cent.

Apps that help with ‘adulting’ are also a great way to support student residents:

• 75 per cent use an app set up by their student housing provider to pay utilities;
• 74 per cent use an app to control the lights in their space;
• 73 per cent use an app to sign their lease; and
• students want their apps to notify them of package deliveries (74 per cent), find discount codes with local partners (74 per cent), and to check to see how busy amenities are.

Other factors affecting student mental health

Of course there are other factors that affect student mental health. The survey, which was done between February and March of this year, demonstrated that financial strain adversely affects mental well being and this should come as no surprise.

Of those surveyed, 41 per cent of the answers ranged between “just getting by” to “often behind” financially.

Layer mental well-being scores on top of this group of respondents and we discover those who struggle financially, have an average Home Well-being NPS score 45 points lower than those who are in a good financial situation.

The Home Well-being NPS measures the impact accommodation has on the resident’s well-being. It is measured on a scale from -100 to +100 by asking a traditional NPS-scaled question focused on mental well being. 

The survey also uncovered that a significant number of students are further challenged by food insecurity. In fact, just one out of three students responded that they had enough money to buy whatever food they wanted. Home Well-being NPS scores were 55 points lower for those who weren’t getting enough food to eat.

Key takeaways from the survey

There are some key takeaways to be gleaned from the data.

Students are grappling with the high costs of education and while many rely on family members for financial assistance, this is not an option for everyone. There are opportunities to support residents by providing job search resources, addressing food insecurity and by hosting financial / budgeting workshops.

Creating suites with a combination of in-suite and communal kitchen facilities would provide students with the opportunity to cook for themselves or together with their roommates. The act of cooking together may foster a sense of well-being and community. 

Well-designed living spaces that consider privacy, social interaction and study areas help students balance their academic and personal lives. Providing a variety of accommodation options allows students to choose the kind of space that best fits their needs and budget. 

In addition to amenities, services and design - awareness of mental health resources is essential to students today.

The 2024 study found 81 per cent of respondents were aware of services at their school but only 26 per cent at their residence. Of those using the services offered 41 per cent are using them at school compared to 31 per cent at their residence.

Raising awareness of services offered to facilitate positive mental health will benefit both housing provider in terms of investment, and students for overall support. 

Housing providers across the entire living spectrum have made it a priority to increase their awareness of the overall experience and wellness of their residents. Understanding the impact a good living experience can have on mental health and well-being is paramount as we create the spaces of tomorrow.

2025 questions are currently being formulated in consultation with the industry. If interested in participating and/or obtaining more information please reach out.