Because Our System is Failing

When 1 in 5 Los Angeles community college students will be homeless and nearly two-thirds can’t afford healthy food to eat, our college system isn’t meeting all of their students’ needs. Most community colleges do not offer dorm rooms, therefore, students living independently may need to pay as much as $20,000 a year for housing. Many students end up sleeping in their cars on campus parking lots when permitted or couch-surfing and many simply do not have a safe place to study or sleep. Homelessness is a preventable barrier to a students’ ability to successfully attain a degree. Studies show that homelessness can not only derail a college student's ability to complete a college education, housing insecurity is also correlated to stress, depression, and emotional and physical health issues.