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What is Housing Insecurity?
What is Housing Insecurity?
Housing insecurity includes a number of circumstances, such as unaffordable housing costs, poor housing quality, overcrowding, couch surfing, and houselessness (UC San Diego Basic Needs Insecurity Committee, 2016, SITE). Conversely, housing stability is "the extent to which an individual's customary access to housing of reasonable quality is secure" (Frederick, et al, 2014, SITE).
There are a number of systemic impediments to housing stability in the greater UC San Diego area. To begin with, the estimated cost of attending UCSD falls short of the actual cost of living in La Jolla. Rent, groceries, and other basic necessities are overpriced and under-valued -- thus, students don't receive enough financial aid to meet unaffordable housing costs. Furthermore, La Jolla has unfriendly tenant laws that prevent students from sharing rooms to reduce cost. UC San Diego also has limited parking and inefficient transportation for students, so commuters are forced to live close to campus in a high cost of living area if they want to attend class. Finally, students aren’t always aware of resources that can aid them in finding housing and roommates. Consider these statistics on housing insecurity and your role as a Peer Educator, then answer the short reflection.
Statistics on Housing Insecurity:
Statistics on Housing Insecurity:
In 2018, 4% of students in the University of California system were houseless (UCUES, 2018, SITE)
In 2018, 4% of students at UCSD were houseless (UCUES, 2018, SITE)
In 2020, the #RealCollege nationwide survey found that 50% of student respondents at 2-year institutions and 43% at 4-year instituitions experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months (The Hope Center, 2021, SITE)
In 2020, the #RealCollege survey also found that houselessness effects 16% of students at 4-year institutions (The Hope Center, 2021, SITE)
Where do I come in as a Peer Educator?
Where do I come in as a Peer Educator?
As a Peer Educator, you can advocate for students in need and help direct them towards housing resources. As always, practice empathy. Housing insecurity is systemic and won't be completely resolved until the system is changed in a sustainable, long-term manner. If a student approaches you expressing housing insecurity, understand that they may also be facing food and financial insecurity. If rent is unaffordable and students don't have enough money to pay for it, then it follows that they will not be able to afford food as well.
Now that you've learned about housing stability, complete this reflection!
Now that you've learned about housing stability, complete this reflection!
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