Housing Landscape

There is a tension that exists in defining the limits of the responsibility of the University and the responsibility of the student. The University holds some responsibility for on-campus housing, while students are solely responsible for off-campus housing. This must shift to a more justice-centered vision of responsibility. As the UC Global Food Initiative’s “Redefining Student Basic Needs for Higher Education” report has already suggested, the University should recognize that it is responsible for helping students to meet their basic needs, instead of expecting that students will be solely responsible for finding safe and affordable housing in the middle of a housing crisis (Martinez et al., pg. 38).

Meanwhile, students face unaffordable and inaccessible housing options in the off-campus housing market surrounding campus, alongside a void of campus-driven protocols, governance, or accountability for students needing housing when on-campus housing is not an option. This dynamic is further exacerbated by the unaffordable rental prices of on-campus housing, where even the “below market rate” shared bedrooms are unaffordable for students receiving financial aid.

Furthermore, in June of 2021, 4800 students who applied for on-campus housing were not offered a housing contract and had to navigate the off-campus housing search on their own. As the data tab shows, this unfolding housing crisis at UC Berkeley has resulted in dramatically increased rates of houselessness among students, which was unconscionable to begin with.


What is houselessness and housing insecurity?



Houselessness

Houselessness, a term used as an alternative to homelessness, is defined as not having stable or reliable housing, such as living on the street, in vehicles, motels, campgrounds, single-occupancy facilities, or couch surfing in other people's homes for temporary sleeping arrangements.


Housing Insecurity

Housing insecurity can include houselessness, but also includes a much broader set of experiences such as unsafe living conditions, or places not intended for human habitation (like a garage or closet).

Ways that UC Berkeley students are housing insecure can include:

  • unhoused, living on the streets

  • couch surfing

  • living in a vehicle

  • living in a garage, closet, or other space not meant for habitation

  • staying in an overcrowded room/home

  • commuting from a significant distance

  • dealing with habitability issues (lack of heat or water, mold, no windows, no kitchen)

  • staying in a place that does not to meet accessibility or disability needs

  • experiencing safety concerns

  • have been scammed/defrauded

  • working multiple jobs to afford a deposit/rent or being unsure how next rent payment will be paid

  • simply unable to locate affordable housing that meets basic needs

How is the availability of housing and the cost of housing contributing to housing insecurity among our students?

What other factors are contributing to students’ housing insecurity on our campus?

  • Lack of affordable, accessible and available housing inventory in the City of Berkeley and the greater Bay Area

  • Limited availability of on-campus housing, and unaffordable for many students

  • On-campus rates are subsequently driving unaffordable market rates for off-campus housing

  • Students face significant challenges during the off campus housing search process.

  • There is a gap in available resources and support to help students navigate the off campus housing market. Many students, particularly students living out of state and out of the country, are susceptible to housing scams, as they often are not able to come in person to view available housing units.

  • Barriers specific to some students include being unable to secure housing due to not having a co-signer or proof of income from full-time employment.

  • Students also often struggle with the requirement to pay for the first month, last month and housing security deposit - having to secure housing before financial aid is disbursed.

  • Even when available, current financial aid packages do not account for these front loaded housing expenses that can range anywhere from $3k to $10k.

  • Current financial aid packages' monthly budget for rent is significantly below the average rent prices in Berkeley, and FA packages still require a significant ‘self-help’ portion requiring working multiple jobs or taking out extensive loans.

  • The off campus housing rental infrastructure for leases are typically for a calendar year that does not align with the academic year for students. Standard financial aid packages are for 9 months and don’t include the summer where there is little aid offered to students. Students are often forced to sign 12-month housing leases while their financial aid covers only 9 months of that lease term.

  • Housing in the City of Berkeley has a significant amount of properties with poor standards for habitability (e.g issues with mold, leaks, rodents) in addition to unresponsive or dismissive property management companies

  • BNC has limited short-term emergency housing but does not have expanded resources to support students with securing longer-term sustainable housing. In addition, the circumstances listed above create barriers to students transitioning from temporary/emergency housing to longer term options.