It would be very good for us to live in these houses,' Astade said. 'We came without big money, so we need to survive here like everyone, it would be very nice. She said these new living spaces could be a temporary fix, while they look for a more permanent place of residence. Natalia Astade, a refugee who moved to Kitchener with her husband in January, said she has been struggling to find an affordable home. In Zumper’s latest Canadian National Rent Report, Kitchener was ranked as the fifth most expensive rental market in the nation last month, with the prices of one and two bedrooms settling at medians of $1,880 and $2,250, respectively. Goertz admitted that a main concern for Ukrainian newcomers is the cost of rent.

We will do our best to connect that Ukrainian newcomer or family with the next housing solution or host,' said Stephanie Goertz, an organizer with WR Grassroots Response. “You know we will do our best, and we have not let anyone down yet. The group said they are looking for more help from others in the community. So far, the group secured two apartments in Waterloo’s University District – one from a local landlord, the other one is a residence from Wilfrid Laurier University.ĭan Dawson, the AVP from student and ancillary services at Wilfrid Laurier, confirmed that they responded to the refugee crisis and have “successfully settled one family into one of our apartment style accommodations.” I think it's not easy because it's expensive here,' Sapeha said. Sapeha said she did not know what to expect, especially when it came to finding a place to live.

“When I moved to Canada, I met a lot of good people, and they helped me with accommodation and other things,” she said. The goal is to help newcomers like Innaida Sapeha, who fled fled Ukraine for Waterloo region in April, to start a new life. A group called the Waterloo Region (WR) Grassroots Response has secured temporary apartments in Waterloo to help newly relocated Ukrainian refugees.

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