WHEREAS, California’s community colleges provide accessible pathways to higher education for diverse populations including low-income, first-generation, and historically underrepresented students yet many of these students face severe housing challenges; indeed, recent studies indicate that over 60% of community college students experience housing insecurity and nearly 20% confront homelessness during their academic careers (The Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice, 2019), while the National Low Income Housing Coalition (2021) reports that California faces a shortage of over 1.4 million affordable rental units, intensifying the crisis for student populations [1];
WHEREAS, Secure and affordable housing is a foundational determinant of student success, as research demonstrates that stable living conditions reduce stress, improve academic performance, and increase persistence and graduation rates furthermore, the California Budget & Policy Center (2022) found that nearly 40% of community college students work over 20 hours per week merely to cover housing expenses, which detracts from academic engagement and achievement (California Legislative Analyst’s Office, 2022; National Center for Education Statistics, 2021) [2];
WHEREAS, Pilot programs at institutions such as Long Beach City College and Santa Rosa Junior College have successfully implemented on-campus or near-campus housing initiatives that promote academic achievement and overall well-being, with studies indicating that students in stable housing are up to 30% more likely to persist in their studies compared to their peers in unstable living situations (Santa Rosa Junior College Housing Program Overview, n.d.; California Department of Housing and Community Development, 2021) [3]; and
WHEREAS, Despite state funding initiatives and legislative acknowledgment of the housing crisis, many community colleges continue to lack dedicated residential infrastructure hampered by historical underfunding and restrictive zoning policies which leaves a significant number of students without access to safe, affordable housing, thereby exacerbating academic and personal hardships; Now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges strongly support the development, expansion, and sustainable funding of student housing projects across California Community Colleges to ensure all students have access to affordable, safe, and stable housing conducive to academic success;
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges urge the California Legislature, the Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, and local governmental bodies to prioritize financial resources, enact supportive land-use policies, and foster public-private partnerships to establish comprehensive housing solutions including on-campus residences and housing assistance programs—that address the unique needs of community college students;
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges call on all California Community Colleges, the Chancellor's Office, and the Community College League of California to incorporate student housing initiatives into their broader equity and basic needs strategies, recognizing that stable housing is essential for educational attainment and overall student well-being; and
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges collaborate with student organizations, faculty, housing advocacy groups, and community stakeholders to identify, implement, and monitor innovative and sustainable housing solutions, drawing on best practices and leveraging state, federal, and private resources to overcome housing challenges and enhance student success.
Resources:
[1] The Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice. (2019). California Community Colleges #RealCollege Survey Report. Retrieved from
https://hope4college.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/2019_CaliforniaCommunityColleges_Report.pdf
[2] California Legislative Analyst’s Office. (2022). Report on Student Housing Initiatives. Retrieved from https://lao.ca.gov/reports/2022/4538/2022-Higher-Education-Housing-021822.pdf
[3] Santa Rosa Junior College Housing Program Overview. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://housing.santarosa.edu/
[4] California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. State Funding for Community College Housing Developments. Retrieved fromhttps://www.cccco.edu/-/media/CCCCO-Website/Reports/Housing-Initiative-Update.pdf
[5] National Center for Education Statistics. (2021). Digest of Education Statistics.
Retrieved from https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d21/
[6] National Low Income Housing Coalition. (2021). Out of Reach 2021: The High Cost of Housing. Retrieved from https://nlihc.org/oor
[7] California Budget & Policy Center. (2022). The Financial Reality for Community College Students in California. Retrieved from https://calbudgetcenter.org/
[8] California Department of Housing and Community Development. (2021). Community College Housing Initiative Report. Retrieved from https://www.hcd.ca.gov/