Write for The Downtown Student

Are you a student in Toronto with a story to tell?

The Downtown Student is HOEM’s student-authored digital magazine, offering practical, engaging, and creative content for students across the city. From local guides and wellness tips to cultural insights and academic hacks, our digital magazine is written by students, for students.

Why Join Us?

Build Your Portfolio: Publish articles that reflect your voice and lived experience.
Grow Your Skills: Access writing workshops and editorial feedback to sharpen your craft.
Boost Your CV: After publishing three articles, you’ll gain the title of Staff Writer — a valuable credential for your writing portfolio or resume.
Join the Community: Connect with fellow student writers for collaborative opportunities.

Who We’re Looking For

All students who want to write are welcome (not just those who live at HOEM!). Whether you’re an experienced writer or just starting out, this is a great opportunity to explore student life through storytelling. Students studying journalism, creative writing, communications, or media may find this especially rewarding — but no specific background is required.

How It Works

Apply: Fill out a short form and submit a writing sample or pitch.
Onboard: Attend a brief orientation and receive our Welcome Package with editorial guidelines and SEO tips.
Write: Pitch and write articles based on your interests or experiences.
Publish: Your work will be reviewed and published on our digital magazine, with promotion across HOEM’s social channels.

Publishing Schedule

New articles go live every Friday at 9:00 AM. We work ahead to ensure a smooth editorial process, so you’ll always know what’s coming up.

Ready to Pitch?

Fill out the form below to submit your idea and start your journey as a Downtown Student writer.

Kickstart Your Student Life

From day one, we’re dedicated to helping you settle in effortlessly, forge meaningful friendships, and set the stage for your success. Our student accommodation provides the ideal balance between academic life and social opportunities, so you can thrive both in and out of the classroom.

Stay Active: 24-Hour Gym & Fitness Studio

Work out solo in our fully equipped gym or join one of our regular, free fitness classes. From high-energy HIIT sessions to relaxing yoga, there’s something for everyone.

Creative Spaces: Workshop Studio

Our fabrication lab has everything from 3D printers to laser cutters. Pursue your creative hobbies, academic projects, or start a business. We offer regular workshops for beginners and advanced training for pros.

Hangout Haven: Living Room

HOEM’s social center! Enjoy your morning coffee (we offer free coffee and tea 24/7), cozy up for a movie night, or show off your gaming skills. With tons of comfy seating, this is HOEM’s ultimate hang out spot.

Common Rooms: Nests

Each group of three floors is designed as its own neighbourhood which includes a Nest. These multipurpose spaces are perfect for group work, meals, game nights, arts and crafts, or watching TV with friends.

Quiet Spaces: Dens & Hubs

These four-person study havens are on almost every floor. Connect to the Den’s big screen for presentations or use the whiteboard for brainstorming. Enjoy a quiet reading session or some solo study time in the cozy Hubs.

Relax & Unwind: Zen Room

Discover serenity in our Zen Room, a peaceful retreat within the building. Perfect for relaxation, meditation, or enjoying a quiet moment with a book and a cup of tea (which we provide), this space is designed to help you recharge and find your inner calm.

Pristine Laundry Room

Our well-maintained washers and dryers are easy to access. Linen packages and laundry services are available as an add-on.

Regular Community Events

Our student-run social events set us apart. Whether you’re into cooking, wellness, fitness, volunteering, gaming, arts and crafts, or another hobby, we’ve got something for you!

Parking

Reserve a spot for your car or bike. Underground car parking is available for a fee, and bike parking is free!

Professional Services

With regular cleaning, on-site maintenance, 24/7 front desk and security, fast Wi-Fi, and a friendly student staff team hosting events, everything’s in place for the optimal student experience.

Welcome HOEM!

Less stress, more support. We think you’ll feel at home here, but come see for yourself.

Book a Tour

HOEM Toronto Student Apartments -Welcome HOEM!

Downtown Toronto Lifestyle

Whether you want to be close to your institution or steps away from fabulous food,  shopping, art, and so much more, HOEM is the place to be!

Schools

1.Toronto Metropolitan University

2.OCAD University

3.University of Toronto

4.George Brown College

5.Toronto Film School

6.Northeastern University

7.CMU College of Makeup Art & Design

8.Canada’s National Ballet School

9.Kaplan Language School

10.Education First

11.Randolph College

12.The Michener Institute of Education

Parks

1.Toronto Music Garden

2.Sugar Beach

3.David Pecaut Square

4.Grange Park

5.TMU Community Park

6.Allan Gardens

7.Riverdale Park West

8.Corktown Common

9.Queen’s Park

10.Trinity Bellwoods Park

11.St. James Park

12.Fort York

Transit

1.GO Bus Terminal

2.Union Station

3.Dundas Subway Station

4.Dundas St East at Jarvis St Bus Stop

5.501 Streetcar at Queen & Jarvis

6.Queen Subway Station

Hot Spots

1.Chinatown

2.Christie Pits & Koreatown

3.Church St.

4.Distillery Historic District

5.Entertainment District

6.Kensington Market

7.Leslieville

8.Ossington & Dundas West

9.Riverdale Park West

10.St. Lawrence Market

11.Toronto Islands

Attractions

1.Art Gallery of Ontario

2.Casa Loma

3.CN Tower

4.CNE

5.Eaton Centre

6.Evergreen Brickworks

7.Hockey Hall of Fame

8.Massey Hall

9.Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada

10.Rogers Centre

11.Royal Ontario Museum

12.Scotiabank Arena

Live Here. Thrive Here.

From wellness to work experience, everything you need is right at HOEM.

Wellness Support

Student Welfare and Mental Health Resources are easy to access.

Discover HOEM - Wellness Support

Student Jobs

Grow your skills while building community. Explore our jobs for university and college students.

Discover HOEM - Student Jobs

Distillery District

Wander through charming cobblestone streets filled with art galleries, boutiques, and cafes.

23 min. walk | 18 min. TTC

Ripley's Aquarium

Explore the wonders of the underwater world with mesmerizing marine life and interactive exhibits.

34 min. walk | 31 min. TTC

St. Lawrence Market

Dive into a culinary adventure with fresh produce, artisanal goods, and international delicacies.

12 min. walk | 12 min. TTC

Chinatown

Immerse yourself in a vibrant cultural experience with delicious food and unique shops.

30 min. walk | 18 min. TTC

Kensington Market

Explore a historic and diverse community filled with colourful street art, quirky vintage shops, and tasty eats.

37 min. walk | 25 min. TTC

CN Tower

Experience breathtaking views of the city from one of the tallest structures in the world.

34 min. walk | 28 min. TTC

Schools in the HOEM Vicinity

STRAIGHT FROM THE HOEMIES

Hear what our students have to say

This was my first year living at Hoem and it was a wonderful experience. The staff are all very friendly and eager to help when there is a need... The community here is what makes Hoem so homey and fun, especially as they put a lot of work into orchestrating fun events every week! I also formed an awesome longterm friendship with with my roommate! The building is very clean and they have a good security system that allows me to feel safe in the facility. Overall, I have enjoyed my time here and will continue to as I move on to my second year!

Melanie

HOEM on Jarvis is honestly such a great place to live. The building is always clean and well taken care of, and the overall vibe feels super safe and welcoming. The events hosted here are amazing; there’s always something fun going on that helps you meet people and feel part of a community.

Sesi

HOEM is a wonderful place to live if you are a student looking for a social living experience. There are many events being run basically daily so there is always something to do and somewhere to meet people. The front desk staff is very helpful and accommodating with any issues that you may have, especially Khady, she was always smiling, very upbeat, and friendly. The maintenance team is incredibly helpful when you get overwhelmed with school and you just don’t have time to tidy up. The CAs are all very professional and I never had any issues with resolving any issues I had. Overall, living at HOEM was a delightful experience and I would suggest it to anyone.

Emmett

I would highly recommend taking up residence at HOEM. I recently called in and spoke with an attendant named Kady, who was incredibly pleasant and informative. Her helpfulness made a great first impression and encouraged me to schedule a visit to the facility. During my visit, I was most impressed by the exceptional customer service, the outstanding cleanliness of the dormitory options, and—most importantly—the thorough safety protocols in place. Everything exceeded my expectations. It’s a five-star rating from me, and I’m looking forward to moving my son in during the upcoming fall-winter season!

Cris (Parent)

I’ve had a great experience at HOEM on Jarvis so far. The environment is clean, modern, and really well-maintained—it feels like a comfortable place to come home to.

Ryan

I had a really good experience at hoem on Jarvis while visiting a friend. A CA called kiyan was nice enough to show me to the restroom on the ground floor while I was waiting to get signed in. The community there is truly wonderful.

Cira