Canada Homestay Network
Canada Homestay Network is a Canadian not-for-profit founded in 1995 that matches international students with screened Canadian host families across 40+ communities, sourcing students via education agents in 35 countries and serving secondary schools, school boards, and post-secondary institutions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1995
- HeadquartersVictoria, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Canada Homestay Network does
Canada Homestay Network (CHN) is a not-for-profit society founded in 1995 by the Wilson family and headquartered in Victoria, British Columbia. The organization matches international students with screened Canadian host families, operating across more than 40 communities from Halifax to Victoria and sourcing students through education agents in 35 countries. Its customer base spans four primary segments: international students (short-term tours of 2–8 weeks through academic year placements of 5–10 months), Canadian host families, education agents abroad, and Canadian secondary schools, school boards, and post-secondary institutions.
CHN's technology stack consists of three proprietary web portals — Student Portal, Agent Portal, and Host Portal — backed by a Host Family Database that captures lifestyle, dietary, and preference data to support matching, alongside a 24/7 relationship manager support system and Flywire-powered cross-border payment processing. The platform handles application intake, matching, ongoing communication, and fee collection. The company has added an ecosystem of partner integrations (Immanuel Immigration for visa advising, PhoneBox for telecom, Student Price Card for discounts, and Points for School for loyalty-funded fees) to broaden its student-services value proposition.
Revenue is generated primarily through homestay service fees charged to students and schools, plus host allowance reimbursements passed through to host families. As a not-for-profit, surplus is reinvested into operations rather than distributed. CHN distributes services through self-serve online portals (consumer/SMB), local Relationship Managers across 30+ Canadian cities (enterprise), international education agents (channel/reseller), and direct school board partnerships (enterprise). The organization is PIPEDA- and GDPR-compliant and follows Ontario Accessibility Standards, positioning it as a vetted option for institutions placing minors abroad.
Canada Homestay Network firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Canada Homestay Network
- Legal name
- Canada Homestay Network Society
- Website
- https://canadahomestaynetwork.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1995
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Canada Homestay Network is a Canadian not-for-profit founded in 1995 that matches international students with screened Canadian host families across 40+ communities, sourcing students via education agents in 35 countries and serving secondary schools, school boards, and post-secondary institutions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Canada Homestay Network industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Student Accommodation Services
- SIC
- Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Homestay Placement & Host Family Management (EDAIALAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Homestays for Students & Interns (Host Families) (THAMAGAH), Owner-Occupied Private Rooms (Homestays) (THAMABAA), In-Country Placement, Homestay & On-Ground Coordination Services (EDAIAGAM)
Keywords
Where Canada Homestay Network is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Victoria
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices29 records
Markets served
Canada Homestay Network business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Homestay Service Fees: CHN charges service fees to students and schools for matching services, placement management, and ongoing support. As a not-for-profit organization, fees cover operational costs and host allowances rather than generating profit.
- Host Allowance Reimbursement: Host families receive monthly allowances from CHN (funded through student fees) for providing accommodation and meals to international students. The allowance varies by student age, meal plan, and school distance.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Canada Homestay Network product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Canada Homestay Network operates a homestay placement and accommodation management service that matches international students with vetted Canadian host families. The service covers the full lifecycle from application, host screening and matching, arrival coordination, ongoing relationship management, and 24/7 support, delivered through three dedicated online portals (Student, Host, Agent) and a network of local relationship managers in 30+ Canadian cities.
Product overview
Canada Homestay Network is a not-for-profit organization operating since 1995 that provides homestay accommodation services connecting international students with vetted Canadian host families. The core product consists of three interconnected portals (Student Portal, Host Portal, and Agent Portal) that facilitate the matching process, payment handling, and ongoing relationship management. CHN also offers supplementary services through partner integrations including immigration advising (Immanuel Immigration), phone services (PhoneBox), student discounts (Student Price Card), and tuition/fee payment via loyalty points (Points for School). The company operates across 40+ Canadian communities with 24/7 support, relationship manager oversight, and airport transfer services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Homestay Placement and Accommodation Management Service End-to-end homestay service that screens Canadian host families, matches them with international students based on lifestyle, hobbies, dietary and proximity preferences, and provides 24/7 ongoing support via local relationship managers.
- Student Portal Online portal for international students to apply for homestay, build quotes, manage their homestay experience, and make payments.
- Host Portal Online portal for Canadian host families to apply to become hosts, manage their hosting activities, and communicate with CHN.
- Agent Portal Online portal for education agents and partners to manage student placements and homestay arrangements.
- Pay Online Invoice Portal Online payment portal where students pay homestay fees and invoices, powered by a Flywire integration.
Quantifiable outcome
- Homestays are located no more than 45 minutes travel time by public transit from partner schools (60-70 minutes in peak seasons like Toronto summer)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Canada Homestay Network
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Canada Homestay Network technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature3 records
Canada Homestay Network partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- Immanuel ImmigrationminorICCRC-CRCCIC licensed immigration advising services. Immanuel Immigration helps CHN students with study permit applications and visa advising services. Special rates available for CHN students. Referrals handled through CHN.
- PhoneBoxminorPhoneBox provides Canadian phone numbers with free eSIM or physical SIM cards for unlocked phones. Monthly and prepaid plans designed for international students without contracts or hidden fees, including 1000 minutes of international calling to 29+ countries. Available before arrival in Canada.
- Student Price Card (SPC) AppminorSPC is a student-exclusive membership providing discounts, contests, and special offers at participating retailers across Canada (both in-store and online). Offers savings on fashion, beauty, food, fitness, tech, and everyday essentials.
- Points for SchoolminorPoints for School allows students to use loyalty program points to fund tuition and homestay fees. Students register at pointsforschool.com and can transfer education credits to their school accounts.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Canada Homestay Network competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ASSE International Student Exchange: ASSE is a non-profit student exchange organization placing international students with host families in North America and Europe. Closely mirrors CHN's school-board channel and not-for-profit positioning.
- International Student Exchange (ISE): ISE places international high school students with Canadian host families and partners with school boards nationwide. Directly competes in the Canadian homestay placement segment.
- International Cultural Studies (ICS Canada): ICS Canada is a Canadian homestay and student-support organization serving international students and educational institutions. Closely overlapping in host family matching and B2B channel.
- WEP (World Experience & Partners): WEP runs student exchange and short-term homestay immersion programs globally. Comparable in targeting international students and educational agents for cross-border placements.
- Greenheart Exchange (CCI Greenheart): Greenheart Exchange offers high school exchange and homestay programs with a global footprint. Similar in mission-driven structure and institutional school partnerships.
- Nacel International: Nacel provides international student exchange and homestay programs to high school students worldwide. Operates a similar host-family placement model serving educational institutions.
- Educatius Group: Educatius operates homestay and high school exchange programs for international students across multiple countries, including Canada. Directly comparable to CHN's core student placement and host family management offering.
Broad incumbents
- Airbnb: Airbnb is a global short-term rental platform increasingly used by international students as an alternative to homestay. Represents a large incumbent with overlapping but not specialized supply for the student segment.
Emerging players
- Homestay.com: Global online marketplace connecting travelers (including students) with host families. Overlaps with CHN on homestay placement but operates a broader, less curated marketplace model.
- uHome / Purpose-Built Student Accommodation Operators: Canadian and North American PBSA operators (e.g., uHome, Iglu, Campus Living Centres) offer standardized student housing that competes with homestay for the same international student accommodation wallet.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Canada Homestay Network social profiles
Digital presenceCanada Homestay Network compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Canada Homestay Network financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Canada Homestay Network leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Canada Homestay Network funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Canada Homestay Network M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Canada Homestay Network
What does Canada Homestay Network do?
Canada Homestay Network operates a homestay placement and accommodation management service that matches international students with vetted Canadian host families. The service covers the full lifecycle from application, host screening and matching, arrival coordination, ongoing relationship management, and 24/7 support, delivered through three dedicated online portals (Student, Host, Agent) and a network of local relationship managers in 30+ Canadian cities.
Is Canada Homestay Network a public or private company?
Canada Homestay Network is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Canada Homestay Network founded?
Canada Homestay Network was founded in 1995. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Canada Homestay Network based?
Canada Homestay Network is headquartered in Victoria, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Canada Homestay Network make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Homestay Service Fees are the primary driver. The others are host Allowance Reimbursement.
Who are Canada Homestay Network's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ASSE International Student Exchange, International Student Exchange (ISE), International Cultural Studies (ICS Canada), WEP (World Experience & Partners), Greenheart Exchange (CCI Greenheart), Nacel International and Educatius Group. Airbnb is listed as a broad incumbent. Emerging players are Homestay.com and uHome / Purpose-Built Student Accommodation Operators.
Does Canada Homestay Network have an API?
No public API is recorded for Canada Homestay Network.
What industry is Canada Homestay Network in?
Canada Homestay Network's product category is Student Accommodation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAIALAC, Homestay Placement & Host Family Management, with a secondary code of THAMAGAH, Homestays for Students & Interns (Host Families). Its SIC code is 7340.