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International Programs Hosted Accommodation

Our hosted accommodation program provides students with a safe and well-managed environment within Canadian households. The program is designed to support student well-being, independence, and respectful day-to-day living while studying in the district.

To maintain consistent standards across all placements, the International Programs department applies the following requirements:

All participating hosts maintain current Police Information Checks (PIC) issued by the Squamish, West Vancouver, or North Vancouver Police Departments. Checks are renewed every three years.
The Accommodations Coordinators interview and visit each family during the home inspection and conduct follow-up visits as part of ongoing oversight.
Hosts are required to complete online training as made available.
The Accommodations Coordinators maintain regular communication with hosts, and hosts are expected to communicate with the Coordinators as needed.
Hosts have access to International Programs staff emergency contact numbers.
Hosts may collect only the approved monthly hosting fees. They are not permitted to charge “extra” fees of their own accord.
All hosts must meet and maintain established program standards, policies, and expectations.

Through these measures, the program maintains familiarity with participating families and their households. If a family is unable to meet program requirements, additional guidance or training may be provided. In some cases, families may be removed from the program to ensure standards are maintained for all students.

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Basic home requirements to host a student

Hosting a student requires providing a structured, respectful, and supportive living environment that encourages independence and positive daily routines.

Hosts are expected to meet the following basic requirements:

- A welcoming household that provides structured support, while respecting the student’s privacy, personal boundaries, and growing independence.
- A private bedroom for the student, including a door and window with adequate natural light, a bed, night table, dresser, closet space, and a desk with chair. If a desk is not located in the bedroom, a designated study area must be available elsewhere in the home.
- Access to basic internet service and shared use of common areas of the home, in accordance with household guidelines.
- Provision of standard household items such as pillows, bed linens, towels, toilet paper.
- Three daily meals that support balanced nutrition in accordance with the Canadian Food Guide, along with reasonable access to snacks and beverages.
- Clear, written house rules that are reviewed and discussed with the student.
- A clean, safe, and supervised living environment that supports student well-being.

These requirements help ensure a consistent hosting experience across a wide range of Canadian households while maintaining clear expectations for both students and hosts.

If a hosting change is needed

Students are encouraged to complete the hosting application form as thoroughly and accurately as possible. Detailed information such as interests, preferences, allergies, and other relevant considerations helps support appropriate placement and establish clear expectations from the start.

In some cases, a placement may be challenging due to differences in communication styles, routines, or personalities. When concerns arise, students and hosts are expected to inform Accommodations Coordinators promptly. Many issues can be resolved through open communication and mediation.

If concerns continue after reasonable effort and mediation, and a change is determined to be in the best interest of both parties, the program may offer one alternative placement, subject to availability. Due to the matching process and the resources available, multiple alternative placements cannot be guaranteed.

When a host change is approved, hosts will be formally notified by the Accommodations Coordinators and provided with a two-week termination notice. In certain circumstances, this notice period may be waived at the discretion of the Coordinators. If a student is unable to remain in the home during the notice period, payment in lieu of notice is required.

This process applies equally when a host requests that a student move. All requests must follow program procedures and involve the Coordinators. If mediation is unsuccessful, the required notice period will be communicated and managed by the Coordinators.

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