Housing demand is strong in the city, with student housing as no exception. Medicine Hat College has a waiting list of over 50 people for student residence. Kevin Kyle/CHAT News

By Jesse Gill

Medicine Hat College wants to assist students despite housing shortage

Aug 14, 2024 | 4:14 PM

Demand is strong this year for student housing in Medicine Hat and, for those that can’t find anywhere to live, a college official says they will try to help those left without somewhere to live.

The Medicine Hat College residences in both Golfview and Couleeview will be full for the fall semester.

Elsie Makini, student residence coordinator, said the waiting list has grown to over 50 students, significantly higher than previous years.

“Anyone who’s looking to apply to residence in the future semesters or anytime soon, please try and apply early so that you maybe don’t get on the waitlist,” Makini said.

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Elsie Makini, coordinator for student residence at the college, says those interested should still apply to be on the waitlist. Kevin Kyle/CHAT News

“But even if we still have a waitlist, I’d still encourage people to apply, because residence, it does fluctuate, so we’re not full all the time, and you might get a spot in residence.”

Makini said, for the fall semester, she saw student applications as early as October 2023.

“Anyone who applies that early, we’ll definitely give them preference for whatever unit they would like,” Makini said.

The waitlist is first-come, first-serve, with reapplication needed for each semester.

The on-campus residence is made up of 75 townhouse units, each with four rooms for students.

Some additional accommodations are available for those with mobility issues.

Makini encourages students still looking for housing to come to their office located in the Golfview residence, so they can work closely with them to help find suitable housing for the fall semester.

“Our website has an off-campus housing list where students can also take a look to see what the community has to offer in terms of housing as well,” Makini said.

“I would encourage them to reach out to the residence office if they’re looking for housing.”

Makini said they have seen an increase in the number of students applying and needing housing this school year.

Additional information on the college residence can be found on the college website.