Cégep de l’Outaouais partners with regional hotels to house students

Taylor Clark

Cégep de l’Outaouais and four hoteliers have partnered to accommodate 150 students with an aim to increase accessibility to college studies.

Seventy-five rooms, in double occupancy, will be rented on varying terms at what a press release referred to as a “highly affordable price,” costing a student from $45 to $75 per night, depending on the hotel, the room, and the services offered.

With respect to the agreement, the Cégep de l’Outaouais would act as promoter and facilitator. Rental contracts were expected to be completed directly between the student and the hotelier.

“This solution responds to part of the critical housing needs for some of our students and contributes to promoting accessibility to higher education, as well as living conditions that contribute to well-being, success, academic perseverance, and also the safety of students who otherwise have to travel long distances between their homes and our campuses,” wrote general director Steve Brabant.

He noted the partnership was a first step in the right direction but stressed that the Cégep de l'Outaouais was the only CEGEP in Quebec that did not have student residences.

The press release pointed to the fact that more than 500 of its students lived more than 60 kilometres from one of its campuses, a distance that risked educational success and academic perseverance.

According to a 2022 census of student housing needs, more than 425 housing units were needed to accommodate the student community. By 2028, the Cégep de l’Outaouais anticipated its student demographic would grow by another 900 students, many of whom will require housing.

The college has submitted a funding request to the Québec Infrastructure Plan 2024-2034 to build a residence on its Gabrielle-Roy campus. An additional project was also being developed in a public-private partnership with Heritage College.

“Under our partnership with our neighbouring college, Heritage College students will also be able to benefit from the offer by partner hoteliers in the event of vacancy,” said Brabant.

Photo captions: A partnership struck between the Cégep de l’Outaouais and four regional hotels will allow 150 students to secure housing as they seek higher education.

Photo credit: Cégep de l’Outaouais Facebook