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KamaAina

(78,249 posts)
Wed Jun 22, 2016, 02:36 PM Jun 2016

CSU shocker: Up to 57,000 students homeless

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/homelessness-California-State-University-study-8315364.php

Making grades, affording tuition and finding balance between work, school and social life are all commonly acknowledged points of stress for university students.

But there are two other, lesser recognized concerns on the minds of a shocking number of students: homelessness and food insecurity.

California State University is the first public university system to take a close look at these largely underreported issues. Initial research found that among the 474,600 students spread across 23 campuses, 8 to 12 percent are living with unstable housing conditions, while 21 to 24 percent lack reliable access to food.

"The issue that one in five Cal State students is food insecure is a gasp when you think about it," Chancellor Timothy White said Monday at a conference presenting the study's findings. "It's a gasp when you talk to someone in my neighborhood or an elected official because when they come to the campuses, they see the lights on, the lawns manicured, the classes full, the energy high and they don't see the fact that one in five students on any five of our campuses is food insecure at any time and that one in 10 have an issue with respect to their housing."


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CSU shocker: Up to 57,000 students homeless (Original Post) KamaAina Jun 2016 OP
Not just Cal State ladym55 Jun 2016 #1
Part of the problem is that landlords in college towns are making a killing on inflated rent LeftyMom Jun 2016 #4
I wonder if there might be a campus or two in the system with available housing KamaAina Jun 2016 #2
There are some shanti Jun 2016 #5
My friend is a student who lives in his car flamingdem Jun 2016 #3

ladym55

(2,577 posts)
1. Not just Cal State
Wed Jun 22, 2016, 03:24 PM
Jun 2016

I know this was an issue at the public higher ed institution where I used to work in Ohio. I suspect these numbers exist over many states in public higher ed.

Might be time for states to fund their universities again so that tuition and fees are affordable to lower income students.

LeftyMom

(49,212 posts)
4. Part of the problem is that landlords in college towns are making a killing on inflated rent
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 12:17 AM
Jun 2016

so there's a lot of economic disincentive to build more on campus student housing.

 

KamaAina

(78,249 posts)
2. I wonder if there might be a campus or two in the system with available housing
Wed Jun 22, 2016, 05:33 PM
Jun 2016

and if some of the homeless students could transfer there.

shanti

(21,672 posts)
5. There are some
Fri Jun 24, 2016, 02:10 PM
Jun 2016

CSU Sacramento for one, as I lived at Collegetown when I was a single mom/student there in the late 80's. They're supposed to be for families, although there were some there that skirted the rules. The rent was very reasonable compared to surrounding apts, but they were infested with roaches.

flamingdem

(39,304 posts)
3. My friend is a student who lives in his car
Wed Jun 22, 2016, 05:57 PM
Jun 2016

I was shocked but he said many other students are doing it too.

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