Students in Crisis

Sometimes, students will come to you with safety concerns, unforeseen housing displacements, and other crisis situations. In circumstances such as these, students may be eligible for our Emergency Housing Services support. Keep in mind that these services are not promised and are conducted through a needs-based assessment. When sharing this resource with students make sure to be accommodating to their feelings and needs, while also being transparent with our support options. To put words into frame, here are some testimonials of students facing housing insecurity: 

• "We used to rent a house, but due to the low wages & increased in everything else - my family is living in an unconditioned garage." 

• "I'm a self-supported student who generally struggles to pay for most of the everyday costs associated with living in such an expensive city." 

• "I grew [up] with my single mother & four siblings. We lived paycheck to paycheck, and I had to help with bills .. I now live off-campus away from home, but still helping my family with money." 

• "I spent last summer moving four times and couch surfing. It was the worst summer...the experience made me consider dropping out of this school and leaving the country." 

To be assessed for emergency housing, students must fill out the Basic Needs Assistance Form on the Basic Needs website. This will enable staff at the Basic Needs Center to meet with the student for a 1:1 consultation and create a personalized plan suited to their unique situation. 

General Housing Consultations - BN Housing & Education Assistant, Marissa Islas 

Emergency Housing Consultations - BN Housing & Education Coordinator, Carolyn Tinoco 

Emergency Housing Services 

The Basic Needs Off-Campus Housing Office (OCHO) has produced a resource portfolio to accommodate the emergency housing needs of registered students who live off-campus. These services are differentiated through the following categories: 

Emergency/Temporary: indicates that a student is in immediate need of housing due to a crisis & does not have a secure long-term housing plan 

Transitional: indicates that a student is in between housing accommodations and needs short-term support until their long-term plan can be ready

Upon assessment through a Basic Needs Consultation, professional staff may discern which service is available and is appropriate for the student's need. All of our services are with the intention of being a transformational experience, so students are asked to maintain communication with their main point of contact for holistic support throughout their time in one of our services. Staff can help with creating a stable housing plan that appropriately suits one's circumstances.