WHEREAS, The SSCCC appreciates the fact that housing insecurity among California community college students is a serious problem which has only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and inflation, with 65% of the 23,687 student respondents reporting they are experiencing housing insecurity according to a study conducted by the California Student; Aid Commission [2], up from 36% of the 6,608 students who responded to the 2018–19 Student Expenses and Resources Survey conducted just four years prior [3];
WHEREAS, The SSCCC recognizes that offering a dedicated grant program at each individual California community college devoted to helping students who are experiencing housing insecurity, would increase student success at California community colleges and enrich the academic experience therein; based on the success of a similar program offered by schools such as Southwestern College of Region X, which assisted a restorative justice student who was able to afford college by receiving grant aid for housing and other basic needs [4]; and
WHEREAS, It would be a substantial benefit to all community college students across the state for SSCCC to advocate in favor of each college starting or expanding their own 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, with the goal of gathering donations to fund grants specifically designed to help students struggling with housing insecurity; now, therefore be it
Resolved, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges endorse the step by step action plan described in the toolkit of this resolution [5], outlining how the Student Senate for California Community Colleges and student governments at community colleges across California can work together to provide students with access to safe housing they can afford; and
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate of California Community Colleges prioritize advocating for community colleges throughout the state to offer the Housing Opportunities for Underprivileged Students Impacted by Necessity Gaps (H.O.U.S.I.N.G.) Grant program to students experiencing housing insecurity; (Please review the attachment below for a step by step action plan on how SSCCC and student governments at community colleges across California can collaborate with schools to implement the H.O.U.S.I.N.G. Grant program.)
In response to this resolution and others resolutions related to housing insecurity, the SSCCC has developed and released a Housing Advocacy Toolkit that incorporates the step-by-step action plan referenced in the resolution. This toolkit is designed to guide Student Body Associations and student leaders in collaborating with their colleges to advocate for safe, affordable housing solutions and to support students experiencing housing insecurity.
The toolkit includes:
- A detailed action plan for partnering with colleges to implement housing initiatives such as the H.O.U.S.I.N.G. Grant Program
- Templates for advocacy letters and outreach to college administrators and local officials
- Resources and data to support the development of housing programs
- Examples of pilot programs and best practices from campuses across the state
The SSCCC endorses the action plan included in the toolkit and encourages all community college student governments to use these resources to advocate for the implementation of housing support programs on their campuses. We remain committed to addressing student basic needs and will continue supporting efforts to ensure that all students have access to safe and stable housing.