Students and seniors under the same roof

When relocating from Paris to Quebec, 26-year-old Geraldina struggled to find affordable housing. “Rent is the biggest source of stress for students,” said Geraldina, a master’s student in development studies at Université du Québec en Outaouais. 

Meanwhile, 67-year-old Claude, a retired homeowner in Gatineau, Que., had recently learned that his wife, Lorraine, was sick with Alzheimer’s. As an empty-nester, Claude realized he needed someone in the house to provide respite care. He converted his basement into a rental suite, and began to search for a tenant. 

Claude and Geraldine found each other through Habitations partagées de l’Outaouais, an organization that pairs students with families experiencing loss of independence.  

Together, they found a solution: Geraldine would pay a discounted rent in exchange for ten hours a week of caregiving. The organization’s comprehensive guidance made the process much easier for Claude. After two virtual interviews, Geraldina, Claude and Lorraine met in person in August 2025. 

The arrangement has “more pros than cons” for Geraldina, who enjoys her tasks, such as playing catch, going on walks and providing companionship for Lorraine. And since these activities mainly take place at home, they are “less physically and mentally demanding” than a job off-site. Meanwhile, for Claude, “it’s an extraordinary benefit that you can’t put a price on,” which allows his wife to be “accompanied with dignity” throughout her illness. 

Closing the generational gap 

Although there is no official data on intergenerational cohabitation in Quebec, Habitations partagées de l’Outaouais facilitates about a dozen student-senior matches every year. 

“Intergenerational cohabitation exists at the nexus of an aging population — with extra space in their homes and a desire preserve their independence — and an unaffordable rental market that puts students in a situation of housing precarity,” said Nick Revington, a professor of urban studies at the Urbanisation Culture Société Research Centre in Quebec’s Institut national de la recherche scientifique. Dr. Revington argues that cohabitation can help reduce loneliness, which affects 17.8 per cent of Quebeckers aged 15–29 and 16.6 per cent of Quebeckers over 75. But this arrangement isn’t for everyone; many students prefer to live with their peers — and with fewer strings attached.

“Rent is the biggest source of stress for students.” 

“A current trend in urban development is addressing studentification — the gentrification of university neighbourhoods caused by large concentrations of students — by integrating retirees onto campus,” said Dr. Revington, an expert on youth and housing. He cites the example of Arizona State University, which opened a 50-storey residential tower for seniors on campus. Residents have access to a range of amenities geared toward students, including sporting events and facilities, classes and technology support. 

A studio apartment in a seniors’ residence  

Three years ago, the Cornelius private seniors’ residence opened near Université de Montréal. Its four small studio apartments, shunned by seniors seeking more space and comfort, were rented out instead to undergraduate and graduate students. For a discounted monthly rent of $1,250, the students enjoy access to the building’s luxury facilities. In exchange, they work for ten hours a week providing services to residents, many of whom are former administrators and professors eager to remain physically and mentally active. 

The intergenerational cohabitation program at Cornelius is managed in partnership with the Fédération des associations étudiantes du campus de l’Université de Montréal. Each year, its selection committee receives about 15 applications. In 2026, the program was expanded to the Liz and Image d’Outremont seniors’ residences, as well as two other residences run by the Cornelius’s Groupe Maurice. 

“Student renters aren’t replacing residence employees,” said Marie-Laurence Nault, manager of living environment operations at Cornelius. “They enhance an already comprehensive program by leading sports and music classes, organizing board game sessions, and even helping residents with technology, right here in the residence.” 

Intergenerational living has forged “lovely connections” that have helped break down stereotypes of hard-partying students and sedentary seniors, says Ms. Nault.  She adds that many residents look forward to the start of the academic year, when activities resume after the summer break. And the mutual support is contagious: one particularly shy student was able to open up thanks to a resident’s informal coaching.