Thirteen people. Eleven bedrooms. One questionable house in North York.
That’s where Nathi Zamisa lived during their undergrad. Illegal under the bylaws? Probably. Tight squeeze? Definitely. But it was also full of late-night hangs, collective rent battles and chosen family vibes.
Now, as Co-Executive Director of Housing Our University Students Equitably (HOUSE Canada), they are flipping the student housing script.
From building nonprofit and co-op to student-first housing across the country, Nathi is out here doing the real work. Land deals, fundraising, campus unions, partnership development. You name it. They’ve got their hands on every piece of the puzzle.
Spoiler alert! Nathi is one of the panelists joining us for our upcoming webinar:
Turning Empty Offices into Affordable Coliving.
Not to give it all away, but: they’ve got stories. The kind that make you pause, rethink and feel why this work matters.
Nathi M. Zamisa (Any Pronouns)
A quick vibe-check on Nathi?
🔥 Results-driven
🤝 All about partnerships
💬 Fluent in community, strategy and big-picture action
So basically, if you’re wondering how to actually get affordable housing off the ground, Nathi’s your person.
Here’s what Nathi had to say about coliving:
“Coliving is one of the most viable, people-centred ways to make rental housing affordable. It’s flexible. It’s proven. And it works.”
That packed student house Nathi once lived in? It didn’t just inspire them—it shaped the work that they do. They’ve seen how shared spaces can spark solidarity. How a less-than-perfect rental can still feel like home—when the community is strong.
That’s the energy they bring to HOUSE. And it’s the energy they’re bringing to our panel.
Nathi and other community partners will be diving into the nuts and bolts of building coliving—and how our new pre-assessment tool can help cities and housing providers turn those vacant office buildings into vibrant living spaces.
Why HOUSE Canada is such a perfect fit for this convo
Founded by student activists.
Run by student unions.
Focused on making housing work for students and recent grads.
HOUSE Canada is a nonprofit turning social finance into affordable, student-first housing—fast. They work with campus unions, post-secondary institutions, developers and government to make it happen.
HOUSE’s focus on students aligns well with the Turning Empty Offices into Affordable Coliving project’s goal of enabling housing providers to supply more affordable, community-focused housing for the next generation of Canadians.
You in?
👉 Register now
Because housing should be smart, social and community-first. And this convo is where it starts.
