Students decry 'shameful' 25% rate increase at Halifax university residence

Post-secondary students living in the residence at the Atlantic School of Theology in Halifax were shocked by a letter from administration last week outlining a 25 per cent monthly rate increase for residence rooms starting in September. 

The residence provides housing for up to 103 students from Dalhousie University, NSCAD University, Saint Mary's University, Nova Scotia Community College and the University of King's College, as well as its own students. 

Since the news of the rental increase, students have been organizing in protest, putting up signs and flyers around the south-end campus emblazoned with slogans like, "Cut the Hike — No to 25."

University of King's College physics student Nicholas Todd is one of the dorm residents protesting the increase. He says many students will struggle to pay the higher rates but can't afford to move elsewhere.

"AST booting the rent up is actually going to create a significant trail of human misery behind it," Todd said in an interview Monday. 

According to the Atlantic School of Theology, the current residence rental rates range from $660 to $768 monthly for standard or large single rooms, with a shared kitchen and bathrooms. 

Todd said these inexpensive rates are what drew many students there. He is living in the cheapest room style, paying $660 per month. After the increase in September, that will rise to around $825. 

"It's very, very frustrating to see such a stark increase," Todd said. "Especially when our building manager in our email said that they are aware … there is the five per cent limit due to the Tenancy Act, but universities are exempt."

University says rates remain lowest in city

Atlantic School of Theology president Rev. Heather McCance said the increase is an attempt to bring the university's residence rates closer to the market rate in the city.

She said even with the increase, the rooms will be going for 25 per cent less than dorms at other universities. But she said she understands the students' concerns. 

"I don't blame them for being upset," McCance said in an interview Tuesday. "I'd be upset. You'd be upset. Anybody would be upset with that kind of a jump. And we looked at the possibility of spreading it out, but frankly, there are costs we need to recoup."

McCance said the federal government's international student cap has been hurting the school's bottom line. She said the residence used to have a long waitlist, but this year the dorm is not even full. 

In December 2022, the provincial government provided $3 million to the Atlantic School of Theology to upgrade the residence and add more beds to meet increased demand for student housing. 

McCance said "it was an expectation from the province" that when the renovations were complete, the university would raise the rent closer to market value. 

Not protected by province's temporary rent cap

According to the Nova Scotia government, university and college dorm rentals do not fall under the province's Residential Tenancies Act because "they are board-governed institutions that determine their rental costs."

This means the temporary ban on rent increases over five per cent does not apply to students renting there. 

"We are disappointed with this sizeable rent increase at a time when cost of living increases are affecting many students," said Department of Advanced Education spokesperson Chloee Sampson. 

Sampson also said the department gave no direction to the Atlantic School of Theology to increase rents as part of the funding agreement. 

Char Russell, a NSCAD University student who lives in the Atlantic School of Theology dorms, said they were surprised to learn the province's rent cap doesn't apply to universities. 

"It's really shameful that this is happening," Russell said. "Especially because it feels like they're taking advantage of a loophole to exploit students."

Both Russell and Todd said they don't feel the building is worth the new higher prices, saying it isn't in great condition and citing the presence of mould as an example. McCance denied this but admitted there is "occasionally some mildew" that is dealt with quickly. 

This week, a poster advertising an opportunity for students to meet with McCance and other university officials on March 20 was posted inside the building. 

McCance said she has only heard directly from one student contesting the increase, and she wants to open a dialogue. 

"I want to hear what they need more of to make this an attractive place for them to live," she said. "And we will do everything we can to make that happen within the constraints that we have on us."

Russell said the best outcome would be for the university to reconsider the rate increase, "especially during a housing crisis."