Featuring vignettes of students experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity, this book offers readers research-based, practical guidance for creating and implementing a plan of action to address these issues within their local context. Topics include trauma-informed frameworks, policies affecting homelessness and housing insecurity, transitioning students to college, supporting college retention, collaborations and partnerships, and life after college. This practical resource can be used as a professional development tool for student affairs, academic affairs, health and wellness centers, and other campus-based support services. “Provides context, but it also offers tangible suggestions for how you can develop or expand your philosophical, practical, and political efforts to address the needs of students.” —From the Foreword by Timothy P. White, chancellor of The California State University “These skilled authors provide invaluable insights into homelessness and guidance for how we can respond. This is important work that should be shared throughout higher education!” —Peter Miller, University of Wisconsin–Madison “This is a must-read for higher education professionals who want to support students affected by issues of housing insecurity and homelessness.” —Robert D. Reason, Iowa State University “This book not only enlightens leaders but also helps campuses to develop meaningful action plans through local evaluation and planning.” —Adrianna Kezar, University of Southern California
Both colleges and policymakers recognize the importance of supporting students experiencing homelessness in higher education. The challenges involve both addressing issues of college access as well as developing strategies to support retention and degree completion once enrolled. This volume explores how homelessness intersects most social issues that marginalize individuals and negatively influence postsecondary completion, including poverty, foster care, and LGBTQ+ discrimination. As becomes evident, students experiencing homelessness should be considered in conversations about equity and access. For these students, completing some form of degree or certification beyond high school is a vital step in achieving future stability. Topics covered include: how residential experiences influence educational engagement and retention an overview of research related to housing insecurity in higher education federal and state policies related to homelessness in higher education a trauma-informed care approach to this issue an approach to understanding and studying housing insecurity among students ideas that will be necessary for policy and program development.
Abstract: Within college environments, homeless students are invisible. The majority of homeless youth go undetected and unsupported in college environments. This study used validation and strengths-based perspective theoretical lenses to understand the experiences of twenty homeless, traditional age community college students. Their stories were examined to understand the exchange between students and varied faculty, staff, and support service departments. Interview data were analyzed to draw out subject matter from each interview in order to develop codes and themes within the experiences of participants. Demographic questionnaires supplemented interview data. Students described themselves as "a different type of homeless person," different from both their homeless and college going peers, resulting in a feeling of isolation that shaped their college experience. Homeless students described numerous and competing demands on their time, limited social capital, and often frustrating administrative and pedagogical practices that contributed obstacles and frustration as they sought to avoid "the cliff' of chronic homelessness and instability. They also described a "safety harness" (e.g., advising, helpful adults) that they constructed and accessed to help succeed and move up the collegiate mountain. They pointed to work, financial aid, academic advising, helpful adults, and other college resources, as well as their own resilience, as helping them move up the collegiate mountain. Findings show the complex the experience of homeless students. Misinformation and misdirection in college drag youth down, yet financial aid, academic advising, faculty, and other critical resources can pull homeless students toward new vistas. As individuals, the students show great resilience; however, colleges and housing agencies can and should play a critical role in helping them move forward to more stable ground, using policy and effective practice to connect and support students. Colleges must identify homeless students on campus and provide targeted support services that match their strengths and needs. Training in working with homeless youth for financial aid and advising staff, as well as faculty, will ensure that homeless youth are better served. Finally, additional exploration of the experiences and outcomes of homeless youth in higher education is vital to developing policies and practices to serve them.
Both colleges and policymakers recognize the importance of supporting students experiencing homelessness in higher education. The challenges involve both addressing issues of college access as well as developing strategies to support retention and degree completion once enrolled. This volume explores how homelessness intersects most social issues that marginalize individuals and negatively influence postsecondary completion, including poverty, foster care, and LGBTQ+ discrimination. As becomes evident, students experiencing homelessness should be considered in conversations about equity and access. For these students, completing some form of degree or certification beyond high school is a vital step in achieving future stability. Topics covered include: how residential experiences influence educational engagement and retention an overview of research related to housing insecurity in higher education federal and state policies related to homelessness in higher education a trauma-informed care approach to this issue an approach to understanding and studying housing insecurity among students ideas that will be necessary for policy and program development.
Featuring vignettes of students experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity, this book offers readers research-based, practical guidance for creating and implementing a plan of action to address these issues within their local context. Topics include trauma-informed frameworks, policies affecting homelessness and housing insecurity, transitioning students to college, supporting college retention, collaborations and partnerships, and life after college. This practical resource can be used as a professional development tool for student affairs, academic affairs, health and wellness centers, and other campus-based support services. “Provides context, but it also offers tangible suggestions for how you can develop or expand your philosophical, practical, and political efforts to address the needs of students.” —From the Foreword by Timothy P. White, chancellor of The California State University “These skilled authors provide invaluable insights into homelessness and guidance for how we can respond. This is important work that should be shared throughout higher education!” —Peter Miller, University of Wisconsin–Madison “This is a must-read for higher education professionals who want to support students affected by issues of housing insecurity and homelessness.” —Robert D. Reason, Iowa State University “This book not only enlightens leaders but also helps campuses to develop meaningful action plans through local evaluation and planning.” —Adrianna Kezar, University of Southern California
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