FIRST PERSON
by Kathryn Hsieh
On-campus housing has a history of creating an environment conducive to students thriving both academically and socially. However, a combination of factors – such as an increase in student enrollment, limited space, and the growing cost of on-campus housing – is making it more difficult for students to gain access to these beneficial accommodations. This is even more noteworthy as rents for off-campus housing, particularly in areas like California, are outpacing even tuition. As a result, a growing number of students are experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity: unable to pay rent and sometimes being forced to live in an unsafe environment.
I recently explored this topic in my doctoral dissertation, Educationally Resilient College Students and Their Experiences with Housing Insecurity. As part of my research, I spoke with a student who shared their experience living with eight other individuals in a two-bedroom apartment so that they could afford rent. The constant noise and lack of privacy challenged their well-being and interfered with their ability to study. Another student told me of sleeping on the floor of a friend’s residence hall room due to a lack of housing availability. To be less of a burden, she spent most of her time away from the room and roaming around campus. Her lack of personal space led to increased exhaustion and stress that affected her academics.
These are just a couple of examples, but I know there are many more out there, and I fear that we may never really grasp the scope of this issue. Housing accessibility emerged as a critical issue in the Hope Lab’s 2017 nationwide study of community college students who were experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity. Their findings show that almost half of community college students struggle to find an affordable or safe space to live while attending college. Four-year college students are no different. A variety of factors can converge to make students feel cornered and driven to make decisions that impact their well-being and challenge their ability to complete their college degree. College is challenging enough without also having to face food insecurity, working an excessive number of hours, moving frequently, living in overcrowded environments, or having to hide one’s housing situation due to embarrassment.
While campuses may not be able to dramatically lower their housing price tags overnight, there are ways that institutions can better support students facing these types of hurdles. To develop services and resources to best meet the needs of students experiencing housing affordability challenges, consider some of the following transparent and accessible strategies. First, campuses should conduct an institutional study to examine the rate of homelessness and housing insecurity their students are experiencing. This information could then be used to create and educate a team of campus stakeholders dedicated to meeting a student’s basic needs, featuring support services within key departments such as housing and financial aid. Building a collaborative framework for campus stakeholders will reduce referral redundancy and streamline student support services.
Campuses may also consider developing a rapid rehousing program that places students in temporary housing when necessary. Such programs also often provide students with toiletries, cooking supplies, and access to dining services. It’s also strategic, if possible, to include at least some apartment-style accommodations in these programs to meet the needs of students with children. A dedicated social worker would be well suited to support such a program and meet the holistic needs of these students.
Perhaps most important is, when possible, to dedicate staff time and focus to the living situation for all students. A dedicated housing professional focused on bridging the on-to-off-campus gap can provide workshops and resources on tenant rights and where to access legal services if needed. Departments can also develop a partnership with off-campus owners to create more student-accessible options such as aligning the due date of a security deposit with financial aid disbursement dates or encouraging the option to pay the first and last months’ rent incrementally instead of in a lump sum.
All students should have access to an equitable college experience. By innovating student services and re-examining practices and policies, colleges and universities can transform their services to support students whether their address is on or off campus.
Dr. Kathryn Hsieh is an Oracle consulting senior analyst for the Huron Consulting Group.