Social Responsibility Project Topic: Textbook expenses are too costly and limit some students

California Crisis: College Student Homelessness

Executive Summary

Many California college students are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness due to the inflated cost of living in California and the rising costs of tuition. The lack of affordable and adequate housing has caused California students to look for alternative housing styles which pose risks to their health. The financial struggles that students face to make ends meet negatively impacts college students’ ability to balance their physical health, mental wellbeing, and their academic success, which can impact their chances to graduate and enter the professional world. Due to the complexity of the issue and the varying demands and large number of stakeholders related to the matter, solutions must be localized and meet the financial constraints of California colleges. We propose that California colleges immediately implement an overnight open gymnasium (gym) program to provide their homeless student population a safe place to sleep and fulfill their hygiene needs.

Background

Though it’s no surprise that thriving and vibrant communities rely on educated workers to maintain their economy and ensure that they have a qualified workforce to maintain key societal functions and institutions, not much thought is given to the struggles that California students face to obtain an education. Some estimates show that the cost to live in California is over eleven percent higher than the United States average, but even more dramatic is that the cost of housing in California is almost sixteen percent higher than the national average (Cost of Living in California (US) Compared to United States). College students struggle to obtain an income that covers their basic necessities let alone the rising costs of higher education, which has greatly contributed to California’s college student homelessness crisis. Student homelessness was defined in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987 as those without access to “fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence” (“42 USC CHAPTER 119, SUBCHAPTER VI, Part B: Education for Homeless Children and Youths”).

While housing costs are much higher in California, there is also a student housing shortage that impacts college students. Across the University of California system, 9,400 students were denied university housing this fall because of shortages (University of California Grad Students Demand Higher Pay and Better Conditions). While colleges have long faced pressure from lawmakers to increase enrollment, they might be feeling a similar pressure to expand affordable housing options for students which would require support from local landowners and other community and public stakeholders (Tobias). Even if colleges could provide enough on-campus housing options, living on campus is not affordable either because of the room and board fees that are required to be paid in advance before the semester starts and may not be the best option for those college students that are in a tight financial situation.

The housing shortage and exorbitant costs pushes many college students to explore alternative housing options from couch-surfing, staying with friends, living in their car, or for those who do not own a car, living on the streets. According to a 2020 statistic, fourteen percent of college students were homeless, 52% of community college students experienced housing insecurity, and 43% of university students experienced housing insecurity (Student Homelessness and Basic Needs Insecurity: BestColleges).

A contributing factor to college student homelessness could be whether or not the student comes from a low income or disadvantaged background. Students who have grown up in financially disadvantaged families have not had financial support from their families and have had to come up with their own means to afford their education. Among those disadvantaged groups are students who identify themselves as Indigenous, American Indian/Alaska Native, Black, Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian, Latino/a or LGBTQ+ students, and all of which are at a higher risk of housing insecurity compared to other ethnic groups (Student Homelessness and Basic Needs Insecurity: BestColleges).

To try and afford college, many California students seek government assistance programs, such as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), to help them pay college tuition fees, books, and transportation. Though FAFSA provided some means of financial support for college students, it is not enough to fully fund every California student's tuition, housing, transportation, and nutritional needs. Figure 1. below shows some of the insecurity topics felt by college students in 2020.

Figure 1. Housing Insecurity Among College Students, 2020 (Student Homelessness and Basic Needs Insecurity: BestColleges)

Apart from it being dangerous to lack stable housing and to live in transient places, being homeless also poses significant risks to obtaining good grades and being able to graduate. Financial instability for college students often led to emotional stress and food shortages. Many college students that are facing homelessness have limited sources to have accessible food. College students that have limited food often worry about not having enough money to buy more food before running out and struggle to buy healthy balanced meals. Due to this major issue, it has detrimental effects on student’s academic performance and their wellbeing. College students who experience homelessness and food insecurity might show indicators of stress, anxiety, and depression due to their circumstance of not having no access to nutritional food and housing resources. Apart from the stress and anxiety, the mortality rate of cardiovascular disease is 2-3 times higher for homeless adults (Klitzman).

The lack of nutritional food available to students impacts their physical and mental health because they are not getting enough nutrients to function as a student. College students who tend to skip meals or those who cannot afford balanced meals tend to have lower grade point averages (GPAs). Students with lower GPAs have a decreased chance to graduate because college institutions have a GPA requirement in order to graduate. California college student homelessness impacts students to become academically successful and impacts college students to reach their career goals and thus become economically helpful members of their societies.

Complexity of College Homelessness

In recent years, the issue of student homelessness and hunger has gained increased attention in California. According to a 2021 study by the California State University (CSU) system, more than ten percent of CSU students experienced homelessness in 2020 (Graff). That's nearly 57,000 students struggling to find a stable place to live. Homelessness doesn't always mean sleeping on the streets; many students who are homeless live temporarily in their cars or couch-surf with friends. In addition to housing insecurity, hunger is also a significant issue for many students. The same CSU study found that between 21 and 24 percent of students reported not eating regularly (Graff).

The problem of student homelessness and hunger is not limited to the CSU system. A survey by the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice found that between 38% and 59% of California community college students experienced food insecurity depending on their location in the past 30 days, and between 49 and 70 percent experienced housing insecurity in the past year (Rab et al.). These findings underscore the scale and severity of the issue across the state.

The root of the problem is the high cost of living in California. Some CSU campuses are located in expensive metropolitan areas, such as Los Angeles and San Francisco, where it is hard to spend less than $2,000 on rent alone. Combined with tuition fees, which can be upwards of $5,000 per semester, students are left with a hefty financial burden. This is especially challenging for low-income and first-generation students who may need more financial resources or family support to cope with these costs. They may also face additional challenges, such as balancing work and school, navigating the financial aid system, and accessing transportation. These students may be at a higher risk of dropping out of college, which can further exacerbate their financial difficulties.

To address the issue of student homelessness and hunger, universities can take several steps. One approach is to raise awareness among students about the resources available, such as food pantries, emergency funds, and counseling services. Campuses can also partner with community organizations to provide additional support, such as housing assistance and job training. For example, CSU Long Beach partnered with the nonprofit PATH (People Assisting the Homeless) to provide temporary housing for students experiencing homelessness (Rab et al.). Another approach is to advocate for state and federal policy changes to increase higher education funding and expand access to affordable housing and food. In 2019, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill that provided $15 million in emergency aid to community college students facing homelessness or food insecurity (Rab et al.). Similar legislation could be implemented at the CSU level.

Moreover, colleges and universities can help prevent homelessness and hunger among students by addressing the root causes of the problem. This includes advocating for affordable housing policies, such as rent control and tenant protections, and increasing financial aid to cover basic needs such as housing and food. Campuses can also explore innovative solutions, such as building student housing on or near campus, offering low-interest student loans, or partnering with employers to provide job opportunities for students.

The issue of student homelessness and hunger in California is a complex and urgent issue that requires attention and action from universities, policymakers, and the broader community. By working together, we can ensure that all students have the basic necessities they need to succeed in college and beyond. However, it is important to note that addressing this issue will require a long-term, collaborative commitment from all stakeholders (e.g., state or federal grants, landowner land price cuts, stakeholder needs meetings, etc.). While emergency funds and temporary solutions can provide immediate relief, a more sustainable approach is needed to ensure that students do not continue to fall through the cracks.

Stakeholder Analysis

Due to the complexity of college student homelessness in California, there are many stakeholders to consider who all have varying levels of concern and influence regarding the issue. Stakeholders range from students, public educational facilities (community colleges and universities), college and university faculty and staff members, governmental entities, private landowners, community organizations, non-profit organizations, non-governmental organizations, and more. Given the wide range of relevant stakeholders, the most influential and those most impacted by the issue are presented. Appendix 1. below shows a more comprehensive, yet not all-inclusive look at other relevant stakeholders.

Students

California college students experiencing homelessness are the most relevant stakeholders to this issue, as they have the most to lose and the most to gain. On their own, students have low influence and power to make the changes needed to end homelessness; yet college students have the highest risks of catastrophe if nothing is done to address the issue. College students run the risk of failing their classes leading to an inability to graduate, which means they will have an extremely difficult chance to enter the workforce and earn fair wages. If they are unable to earn fair wages, then their likelihood of becoming a valued constituent to their local political leaders is also diminished–further stifling their voice in society.

While struggling to afford basic necessities, food, and housing, students also lack free time to advocate for themselves and join student coalition groups to lobby for political action to end the homelessness crisis. Homeless students are also very difficult to identify and work with given the transient nature of college and university campuses, the lack of admittance of being homeless due to feelings of perceived shame among other students, and due to various other factors, that are difficult to identify (Cowan).

Colleges and Universities

Similar to the students, California’s community colleges and universities are key stakeholders in developing and implementing solutions to college homelessness. Educational facilities are affected by student homelessness as it impacts student enrollment, retention, and graduation rates. In addition, homeless students are at increased risk of physical and mental health issues, which adds pressure to campus medical and wellness centers (Klitzman).

Colleges and universities have limited funds and power to affect nearby housing costs and the cost of living, but they do have the ability to share information to students and can add political pressure by issuing statements and working with lobbyists, advocate groups, and student coalitions. Educational institutions have to allocate funds across many resource areas, and many universities would not be able to keep their doors open if they only relied on tuition and fees, meaning that they have significant financial constraints in terms of directly assisting students with housing costs (Kronk).

The network for colleges and universities is particularly strong when it comes to forming partnerships and coalitions with other higher education facilities in California. For example, the California State University (CSU) system has 23 campuses across California and has the ability to create impactful initiatives. One such CSU initiative is the Basic Needs Initiative, which states that all CSU campuses have food distribution programs, offer emergency housing and funds, and that they all offer additional resources to students to meet their basic needs (Basic Needs Initiative Supporting Students’ Basic Needs ). Each CSU campus has different requirements for housing eligibility with some only applicable for one academic year (Emergency Assistance).

Faculty and Teachers Unions

The faculty and staff at colleges and universities are impacted by the homelessness crisis because their homeless students are at much higher risk of lacking adequate tools and resources to do well and pass their courses, which impacts the success rate of their courses. Alone, faculty and staff have very limited power to address student housing needs, but they can point students they believe are at risk of homelessness to university support services, such as how to find emergency resource pages at their institutions.

In addition to supporting students to locate resources, faculty can join forces and advocate as a group for solutions, such as forming a union. The California Faculty Association (CFA) is one such group of 29,000 faculty members who advocate for programs that support CSU students facing housing instability and homelessness (California Faculty Association - Unite to Win). The CFA has a government relations team that serves as their political action and legislative committee whereby the CFA endorses candidates and works with legislators to draft bills that support both faculty and student needs (Political Advocacy).

In addition to CFA’s political action, teachers’ unions have steadily increased their political involvement and lobbying efforts with their contributions increasing from $4.3 million to over $32 million in just over a decade (Teachers Unions | OpenSecrets). The National Education Association, the NEA Advocacy Fund, and the American Federation of Teachers accounts for the majority of 2021-2022 donation contributions to majorly liberal and democratic candidates (Teachers Unions | OpenSecrets). As shown in Figure 2. below, the left-leaning trend of teacher union support goes back to at least the 1990s. Teachers unions can use their financial contributions to support candidates who advocate for college student support, and these unions can support program development and help align resources to reduce the number of homeless students.

Figure 2. Financial Contributions from Teachers Unions for Democrats and Republicans from 1990 to 2022 (Teachers Unions | OpenSecrets).

Governmental Entities

From a governmental perspective, stakeholders can exist at all levels. Government entities are responsible for funding and implementing various policies aimed at reducing student homelessness, and thus have high influence and power regarding the issue. For example, the U.S. Department of Education oversees the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which enables homeless students to apply for educational funding based on their own income and assets, separate from their parents (Identifying and Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness from Pre-School to Post-Secondary Ages | U.S. Department of Education). Governmental agencies have adequate resources and vast networks to leverage their agendas.

If student homelessness goes unaddressed, the government will bear the responsibility of the environmental cleanup costs of homeless encampments and increased costs for medical expenses. Apart from financial impacts, local political leaders will bear an additional burden of a lack of skilled laborers which can impact the economic prosperity of their jurisdiction. Governmental institutions will also likely suffer from the lack of an educated public when times of uncertainty require careful public input and participation.

Non-Profit Organizations (NGOs)

College Track, founded in the Bay Area and now a national NGO, provides resources to first generation, low income, and immigrant students to help them graduate college through the use of their advisory services, financial aid and scholarship grants, mentorships, alumni services, and other career development services (College). College Track is an important stakeholder considering that low-income students are at a much higher risk of becoming homeless which could then impact their ability to graduate.

While direct statements on College Track’s work to prevent college student homelessness is not apparent, they spend 80% of their funding on programs, nine percent on fundraising, and twelve percent on administrative costs (“Financial Accountability”). The programs they invest in could help students lower their tuition and other education-related costs which could help to reduce homelessness as students can allocate more of their money to housing.

College Gyms as the Recommended Solution

The issue of homelessness among California college students is a growing concern that requires immediate action. To tackle this issue, it is recommended that California college campuses should allow students to sleep inside their gyms at night. The idea of allowing college students to shelter inside the campus gym would provide accommodation and refuge for those who experience homelessness so that they are able to sleep safely and comfortably. In addition, opening up campus gyms would not require additional infrastructure or a large capital investment on behalf of the colleges, so they could implement the solution immediately.

In addition to requiring little financial assistance, the open gym program would also give students access to essential amenities such as showers and bathrooms, which are essential to maintaining student health and dignity. Homeless students' wellbeing would be greatly increased if they were able to have a safe place to sleep and prepare for their academic day. In addition to access to hygiene services and a safe place to sleep, it is recommended that the college also provide gym lockers to the homeless students so that they can keep their personal belongings secure without worrying about theft. If funding allows, the college could also provide curtains to separate each student’s sleeping area but is not necessarily critical for program implementation.

Colleges must implement a program such that the gyms are used exclusively by college students, and the program should require that students check-in before using the facilities for shelter purposes. This would help to prevent unauthorized individuals from using the gyms and ensure that the resources are available to those who need them most. In addition, in an emergency situation, a full list of the students using the gym would be critical for first responders and rescue operations. We also recommend that the college employs an on-site security guard to monitor the building overnight to further ensure the safety of the students using the program. Many colleges already utilize security monitoring systems and personnel, so it is not anticipated that this would cause undue financial burden.

By providing shelter to homeless college students, this program would have a significant impact on the college community. It would send a clear message that the college cares about the welfare of its students and is willing to take proactive steps to address the issue of homelessness. It would also promote a sense of community among students, as they would be supporting one another during difficult times.

Colleges that implement an open gym policy should make sure it is known to the student population. They must work with school program administrators and faculty to spread the word that this service exists. They should post fliers throughout campus, add the service to their support webpages, and add leaflet fliers to other services that support student wellbeing, such as food pantry programs.

In order to ensure that the program is working for the students, we also recommend that the college conduct stakeholder analyses with the students, potentially via surveys, to determine how the program is working for them. By soliciting feedback from relevant stakeholders, the college can work to continuously improve the program and come up with solutions that reduce the total student population experiencing homelessness.

Case Study

In the Guardian article, “Students Had Nowhere to Sleep, so a San Francisco School Opened the Gym: ‘How Could We Not?’” Gail Cornwall discusses how the Buena Vista Horace Mann K-8 Community school in San Francisco has become the first public elementary school in the country to host a long-term, overnight family shelter. The Stay Over program offers a safe space for families experiencing homelessness, with sleeping mats set up in the gym each evening after school hours. Cafeteria-style tables in a connected room host dinner and homework sessions. Only families with a child enrolled in the San Francisco Unified School District can be admitted.

The idea of using school district property for evening and weekend use is not new, but this program is unique in that it offers a long-term solution for families experiencing homelessness. BVHM serves approximately 600 students, with just under 60% of them being English language learners and just over 60% considered socioeconomically disadvantaged. Many of the families are also undocumented or under-documented.

The school’s wellness team had noticed more and more families in crisis, but often the referrals they made to the city and nonprofits didn’t result in any support. BVHM’s staff had been trained in trauma-informed care, and they wanted to help kids not just to overcome, but to avoid altogether the experience of sleeping in a car, living in an overcrowded apartment, or having a parent stay in an abusive relationship to keep a roof over their heads. They knew that housing families in the gym wouldn’t solve everything, but maybe it would solve something.

The shelter has faced some criticism from those who feel that a school should not be responsible for providing shelter for homeless families. However, school administrators have created an online FAQ document addressing concerns around security and hygiene. Despite the program being considered a “Band-Aid” solution by some, it has helped many families in need.

The idea that schools can act as resource hubs for students and their families is known broadly as “community schooling” and has proven successful in schools across the country. By using existing resources, such as school facilities, and by providing support for basic needs such as housing instability, schools can help mitigate the effects of poverty on children and families. The Stay Over program at BVHM is an excellent example of how schools can help address the issue of homelessness and provide much-needed support for families in need.

Conclusion

The recommendation to allow college students to shelter inside college campus gyms is a practical and effective solution to the issue of homelessness among California college students. It would require a nominal financial investment from the college, while providing students with essential amenities, protection, and a sense of community, which are all critical factors in helping them to succeed academically and in life.

Apart from helping students thrive, this program is also expected to result in higher GPAs, higher rates of student retention, and higher graduation rates. This means that the positive effects apply to the university as well as the individual. Furthermore, by increasing the number of educated individuals in a community, California communities will be able to continually develop strong economies that have the essential professionals required to meet rapidly changing societal needs.

Appendix 1. Stakeholder Analysis Research

Appendix 2. Value Chain Analysis for College Homelessness

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