Research Homelessnes in Community College

Never, a higher education degree has been more important than now. A Bachelor’s degree on average earns more than one million dollars over their lifetime than those only with a high school diploma. Between 2008 – 2019 the employment offerings for a post-secondary degree more than doubled that of a high school diploma or less.   

Research conducted in 2019 found that 60 percent of California Community College students were housing insecure and 19 percent experienced homelessness in the previous year (https://www.insidehighered.com/sites/default/server_files/media/HOPE_realcollege_National_report_EMBARGOED%20UNTIL%20APRIL%2030%203%20AM%20EST%20(1).pdf).

The statistics don’t show a promising solution to affordable housing in the short term. The state has acknowledged this problem and has approved various bills to start feasibility plans for affordable dorms/housing. Community colleges have received the funds already, to start planning for the period 2021 – 2029. The state has worked to identify strategies to support homeless students, in the meantime, as they endeavor to complete college. Please read “College Success Initiative”.

We need to work together in order to succeed and help out our college students complete their studies.