Student Homelessness at SMC Reveals National Trend

Walking through any college campus in 2018, stereotypes of college life hold true to some glaring similarities nationwide. Books, backpacks, reading, writing, and doing homework is all assumed to be part of getting one's college degree, but, for at least 36 percent of college students who are housing insecure, living in their cars or being homeless is also part of the equation.

A recent study by Temple University and the Wisconsin HOPE Lab revealed that 36 percent of college students say they are food insecure, another 36 percent say they are housing insecure, and 9 percent report being homeless.

Sadly, these figures are even higher when focused on community colleges.

When limited to students at community colleges, 42 percent say they struggle to eat, 9 percent admitted to having gone at least one-day last month without eating, and a whopping 42 percent of community college students say they cannot afford housing.

Another recent survey by Temple University and the Wisconsin HOPE Lab, focusing on 43,000 students at 66 institutions, including 31 community colleges and 35 universities from 20 states, had very similar results to a UC Berkeley study done in 2016 which concluded that at least 42 percent of students in the UC system were food insecure.

In California specifically, at least 5 percent of UC students, 10 percent of CSU students, and 19 percent of Los Angeles Community College Students are currently experiencing Homelessness

Although Santa Monica College does not yet provide these services, currently, the UC System provides what is called the “UC Food Access and Security Plan," and some students are pushing for similar initiatives at Santa Monica College.

UC’s Food Access and Security plan includes expanding food pantry storage and access, integrating food preparation and secure storage space into new housing design and construction, increasing collaboration with state and county offices to register students for CalFresh, California’s nutrition assistance program, and establishing and expanding campaigns for students on student support services and food access awareness.

They also recommend providing access to mobile kitchen services and enhancing financial aid communications about housing and food costs, while also expanding economic crisis response teams and providing new teams to provide support and guidance to students experiencing immediate or unexpected financial hardship.

Finding resources on the SMC website for students who might be struggling with Food Insecurity remains elusive. Although there were links for potential housing or student aid, no access or resources for food could be found.

Some of the brightest initiatives seem to be coming from grassroots student groups who are taking responsibility to create food pantries and student-run housing services.

One of these groups, "Students 4 Students" whose primary aim is "to shelter and support college students experiencing homelessness," says that there are more than 58,000 homeless college students in the U.S. right now.

A former SMC student said: "Without Students 4 Students shelter, it's a really scary thought. I just can't imagine where I’d be. I don't have the words for all the help provided. Without all of the support [they've] given me I would be in a much worse state. The biggest change I’ve noticed is I have the strength and optimism now to get my diploma."