Spring 2024
WHEREAS, The Student Senate for California Community Colleges (SSCCC)understands the importance of improving student access to housing for all California community college students, as described broadly in the organization’s mission statement [1], and that students having a safe and affordable place to live is a necessity, not a luxury;
WHEREAS, The SSCCC appreciates the fact that housing insecurity among California community college students is a serious problem which has only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and inflation, with 65% of the 23,687 student respondents reporting they are experiencing housing insecurity according to a study conducted by the California Student; Aid Commission [2], up from 36% of the 6,608 students who responded to the 2018–19 Student Expenses and Resources Survey conducted just four years prior [3];
WHEREAS, The SSCCC recognizes that offering a dedicated grant program at each individual California community college devoted to helping students who are experiencing housing insecurity, would increase student success at California community colleges and enrich the academic experience therein; based on the success of a similar program offered by schools such as Southwestern College of Region X, which assisted a restorative justice student who was able to afford college by receiving grant aid for housing and other basic needs [4]; and
WHEREAS, It would be a substantial benefit to all community college students across the state for SSCCC to advocate in favor of each college starting or expanding their own 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, with the goal of gathering donations to fund grants specifically designed to help students struggling with housing insecurity; now, therefore be it
Resolved, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges endorse the step by step action plan described in the toolkit of this resolution [5], outlining how the Student Senate for California Community Colleges and student governments at community colleges across California can work together to provide students with access to safe housing they can afford; and
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate of California Community Colleges prioritize advocating for community colleges throughout the state to offer the Housing Opportunities for Underprivileged Students Impacted by Necessity Gaps (H.O.U.S.I.N.G.) Grant program to students experiencing housing insecurity; (Please review the attachment below for a step by step action plan on how SSCCC and student governments at community colleges across California can collaborate with schools to implement the H.O.U.S.I.N.G. Grant program.)
WHEREAS, The SSCCC appreciates the fact that housing insecurity among California community college students is a serious problem which has only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and inflation, with 65% of the 23,687 student respondents reporting they are experiencing housing insecurity according to a study conducted by the California Student; Aid Commission [2], up from 36% of the 6,608 students who responded to the 2018–19 Student Expenses and Resources Survey conducted just four years prior [3];
WHEREAS, The SSCCC recognizes that offering a dedicated grant program at each individual California community college devoted to helping students who are experiencing housing insecurity, would increase student success at California community colleges and enrich the academic experience therein; based on the success of a similar program offered by schools such as Southwestern College of Region X, which assisted a restorative justice student who was able to afford college by receiving grant aid for housing and other basic needs [4]; and
WHEREAS, It would be a substantial benefit to all community college students across the state for SSCCC to advocate in favor of each college starting or expanding their own 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, with the goal of gathering donations to fund grants specifically designed to help students struggling with housing insecurity; now, therefore be it
Resolved, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges endorse the step by step action plan described in the toolkit of this resolution [5], outlining how the Student Senate for California Community Colleges and student governments at community colleges across California can work together to provide students with access to safe housing they can afford; and
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate of California Community Colleges prioritize advocating for community colleges throughout the state to offer the Housing Opportunities for Underprivileged Students Impacted by Necessity Gaps (H.O.U.S.I.N.G.) Grant program to students experiencing housing insecurity; (Please review the attachment below for a step by step action plan on how SSCCC and student governments at community colleges across California can collaborate with schools to implement the H.O.U.S.I.N.G. Grant program.)