On our second meeting of the semester I noticed this early bird was wearing the same clothes. She had on the same clothes the next two times the class met. So, at the end of the second week I called her over and remarked how much she like that sweater because she’s worn it every day for the first two weeks of the semester. Then she confided in me what I expected: she was homeless.
There are two major problem affecting students, one is housing insecurity.
In every class, each semester, I become aware of at least one homeless student. I have no idea how many of my students are homeless. Nationally, about 36% of students are housing insecure while 9% are outright homeless.
How large, how widespread is this problem at HCC? Home insecurity has a direct correlation with student success. Without a stable shelter, anxiety, stress, and depression build. Those take over one’s ability to focus on college work, which leads to dropping out of college or just disappearing into the abyss.
We need to do something. The first thing to to get the word out that the college has the resources and the know how to offer assistance to those with home insecurity. The second thing I’d like to do is to figure out how many homeless students we have.
So, some of my classes are assigned to meet with homeless advocates to try to come up with a plan to best identify students who are home insecure.
It is alarming knowing that some students in college may be homeless or at the verge of becoming homeless. I for one have never heard of college students that are homeless because it is something that is never talked about. It is also something that I have never seen happen nor have experienced because it is not common. However, I have known of people that became homeless due to the loss of a job or because of their poor life choices, but never have I seen or heard of it happening to college students, at least not until now. The worst part is that most of those students going through homelessness will not speak up about the issue because of the fear of rejection, shame or embarrassment. That is why we should raise more awareness about students facing homelessness to help them. Those students that need assistance should be made known that they will be heard and helped, and in that way students will come forward to talk about their issue and henceforth so will others facing the same problem.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up in Ethiopia I was exposed to this type of situations regularly. Even though I was never homeless, almost everyone around me and in my age, group has experienced that one way or another. I have seen most of them succeed in their life because the seek education during those dark times. They were lucky enough to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Others are still where below poverty because this traumatic experience has left them thinking that everything is unattainable. It sadly has forced them to give up on life. It has affected their psychology. In my native country admitting that one suffers from depression and needs to be treated is very much considered luxury. So unintentionally many people have not yet been able to meet their full potential in life yet. I am actually surprised that it happens here. Luckily the American government has laid out different paths to assist those in need. All that we need to work on is help create awareness so that people ca take advantage of these opportunities.
ReplyDeleteAs an international student, I deserve to imagine myself in a place of that girl shown in the picture. Staying thousands miles away from home and family with a dream of success itself is a first challenge that I have faced in my life. Fear of losing visa in case of bad grades and most important, restriction on work authorization is what that makes me feel like homeless. I can recall those days, where I have slept with an empty stomach in my car when my parents back-home were having a problem and could not send me money. My roommate kicked me out of apartment since I was not able to pay my rent or pay my groceries bills. I almost applied all the jobs that were available on-campus because that was the only place where we are allowed to work but apparently just a simple answer to one question: " Are you a US citizen ?", would allow computer to reject my applications. As time passed, my family situations started getting a little better and now I think I am not in that situation right now but that can happen anytime again in my life. I think college should also have to look for students who are in need of help no matter if he/she is an American or Non American and support whoever is genuinely willing to study and do something.
ReplyDeleteHousing insecurity is a major problem in our country, even though we are a country with many resources to help people dealing with this issue. After my mother passed a few years ago, I personally had to deal with housing insecurities and is currently still struggling with this issue. This is my second year attending college and my first year I literally had no place to call home, and the irony of the matter is I volunteer and work with non-profit organizations to help feed and provide clothing to people less fortunate than I am.
ReplyDeleteI've been helping the homeless for at least 6 years and the stories I've heard about why they're homeless makes me feel a deep empathy for these people and I realized that the government practically counted these people out. I have had to struggle with studying because I've had places to go, but if it's not your own residence you have no say so about external distractions or the noises in that environment. I had to adapt to my situation because rent would be another bill when I have so much more to be concerned with.
I am really trying to change the world through starting a natural healing business and hosting lectures where I use my story as a testament to when the odds are against you, NEVER GIVE UP. I understand that some students aren’t as mentally strong as I am, I’m willing to work with the college to aid students dealing with this issue because I can personally relate.
Attempting to attain a college level education is quite difficult itself. It is ever more difficult when a student is not fortunate enough to live in a home. it is amazing and motivating how these individual students do not give up on their education and strive for the best with the little recourses they attain. housing insecurity is a magnificent issue throughout all the united states. Whether an individual's poor decision making, or simply an individuals lack of success caused this, i believe nobody should ever have to be homeless. although our country provides many opportunities, many individuals are not fortunate enough, which leaves them without anything causing them to problems financially. Many problems also occur when facing financial issues such as: Depression, Anxiety, and most commonly Stress. As a country, we can come together and provide more donation facilities, which will only benefit those individuals who were never given the opportunities they absolutely deserve. If you are an individual who may be going through housing insecurity, never accept defeat, there are opportunities for everyone.
ReplyDeleteCollege itself is hard to pay for, just imagine for housing. Some of the students who are homeless are either parentless or thought they were able to live on their own. However, I believe they are too focus on getting to school and passing rather than trying to figure out where they are going to sleep at or what they are going to wear tomorrow. Colleges and America should be able to afford help if a student is homeless and not turn a blind eye on the issue, because if its close to 50% (whether house insecurity or homeless) what are we doing as a country? Students should at least try to lend a helping hand if they know a fellow student is homeless, schools should set up shop and donate clothes and/or food as well because more than likely these kids are hungry too. I also never heard of this issue in HCC and I hope everyone in HCC has a house they can eat, shower, and sleep in.
ReplyDeleteBeing homeless while going to school is a struggle hard to overcome. While balancing out not having a home with school and other things that come along with it can make you want to give up on everything. Lacking emotional support, poor health, hygiene, nutrition and lack of transportation are some of the barriers that make it hard for homeless students to succeed in school. This also may include difficulty staying awake in class, lacking to properly understand the lessons, or just being separated from learning. For many homeless students, their lives at home are unstable, while others have traumatic or anxiety issues daily. These students tend to move around a lot because they do not have a permanent home thus leading to struggling in school. Students from this population are more likely to miss a lot of school days because they just don’t have the stability to be in attendance daily. These things are just a few of the many things homeless students can go through in their lives and make it hard to succeed in school.
ReplyDeleteJust how there are campaigns about the use of alcohol and the use of tabacco products, there should be campaigns about the troubles that college students go through. For example, home insecurity is a problem that many people have no idea exist, and this is important because awareness about this issue could potentially save a life. It is very hard to admit that one is in need of money and it could only be as hard or even harder to get someone to admit to homelessness, especially as a college student. Tax payer money is being used to found many programs in HCC; adds and campaigns for issues like home insecurity could make a great difference in combating this issue. Having someone a student feels safe enough to confide in could solve many issues or even save a life. Homelessness and home insecurity are not issues that are easy or quick to solve. Campaigning and letting people know that hep is available is an enormous aid for students that are too timid or have no idea of what to do next.
ReplyDeleteHOUSING INSECURITY
ReplyDeleteHousing needs affect students’ success in college. When students cannot cover their living expenses through financial aid or other benefits, they often compensate in ways that make them less likely to graduate. Evidence shows that students who lack sufficient financial aid often work more hours, enroll part-time, or don’t buy key resources like textbooks.
Beyond logistical constraints, living in poverty has a biological impact on the brain that affects academic success. Majority of students living off-campus and not with relatives had incomes below the poverty level.
These challenges have likely affected college completion rates in the United States. Surging college enrollment over the past decade and a half has opened opportunities for millions more students. Today, many Americans enroll at a four-year college. But graduation rates remain low: just over half of students who enroll at a four-year college graduate within six years. Only few students complete a two-year associate degree on time, and only others do so within six years. Dropping out can have serious financial consequences, especially if students have financed their education with loans. Students who attend but fail to earn a degree are far more likely to default on their student loans than those who graduate-Chinyelu Okoye
Being homeless while going to college can be one of the most difficult things to deal with. I myself have almost experienced homelessness but was close to living in the streets all because of financial problems. Even then my mother, two sisters and I had to deal with living in my stepdad’s parents house, where the house was literally crumbling apart to dust. Harsh winters and even unbearable heats made it hard to have a quiet, open space to study at home or even do my homework. It can lead to depression, outbursts of random angers toward insignificant arguments and just make you lose hope in yourself to move on.
ReplyDeleteI pray to every student who is passing through that and wish them the best for them. But they also need to know that there are people, programs out there that can help you manage your problem and make sure you have the equal opportunity of staying in school and having the resources to pass your classes. Homelessness can be a crucial obstacle to overcome, especially with little to no money to feed yourself, or even have a spare change of clothes, even not having enough for personal hygiene. Thanks to programs like in HCC where they aid you, students start to regain hope and start to have faith in pursuing their goal again. Being on the path to success again.
I could never imagine how difficult and how much stress a student with housing insecurity is facing or has faced. I believe that no one should be left to deal with something as hard as this alone. This is why many teachers and students should be informed about situations likes this so that we can become more aware of each other and be able to recognize someone who is going through housing insecurity. Colleges should have more resources and this issue should be spoken about to the students in all the classes so that students who are afraid to speak up know that every teacher cares and there is always going to be someone that is there to help. The college should have the most important in helping students with housing insecurities. If a students is enrolled in college and has paid for classes, the college should make sure that every student enrolled has the necessary needs to make sure they do good in their classes. There’s no such thing as “No help available” because there is definitely help it is now part of everyone to spread awareness and help in any way possible.
ReplyDeleteI agree, as such schools do not reach out on the issue of students that are facing house insecurity and does not provide much help either. Schools should focus on communicating with students more effectively when it comes to an individual that is reaching out and begging for some type of support as they have paid for classes but cannot pay for books. Colleges always promote that they are available to help anyone no matter the situation but when it comes down to it, they do not offer any help or handle the problem properly.
DeleteHousing insecurity is a topic that I believe isn't discussed nearly as much as it should considering the amount of students that go through it every semester. I first realized the severity of homelessness within students around this time last year when a girl in one of my classes had similar comparisons to that of the student discussed in the original blog. I believe all educational institutions should take into account the possibility of homelessness happening within their student body and provide adequate support to any student that is willing to reach out to them for support, whether that be financially or by providing basic essentials for hygiene and nutrition. Having to balance school with everyday life is already difficult as it is, I believe the least students should have to worry about is having somewhere safe and secure to sleep (or not sleep during finals week) for the night.
ReplyDeleteThis essay examines the fact that thirty six percent of students are housing insecure while nine percent are outright homeless. Housing insecurity is a problem in which some students face. I was really not aware that there are actually some students that do not have a place to stay I find that disturbing, because they're going to class and trying their best to succeed with what they have, but they don't have a place to stay in. Since home insecurity correlates with student success, I feel like every campus should provide a student at least a temporary place to stay in for a while in order for them to get back on track and find a suitable place to stay. In other words, campuses should make sure that their students have the necessary things for them to succeed. Over all I believe that you make a valid point that students need a proper place to stay in order for them to not have to worry about were their going to stay and instead they can focus in succeeding in their classes.
ReplyDeleteCollege students face housing insecurity as they do not have any support from their family. They are struggling on their own to provide for themselves and to get an education. There are several students that work long shifts to provide for tuition fees and books in which their pay is not enough to feed themselves nor find shelter. Students that financially struggle in college never reach out for help and hide their problems well. These individuals come to class every day with a smile but behind that smile is tears and pain of wondering when their next meal will be and where they will sleep at night. Some students live in their cars to provide shelter for themselves if they do not have a place to stay. Students facing these life challenging issues does affect their learning in which they fail their classes from not getting enough sleep, not eating, and stressing about their living conditions. If HCC were able to help, a campaign should be created to help those students who are less fortunate such as a food drive & clothing donations.
ReplyDeleteHousing insecurity is a big problem and could stop a student from getting their diploma. At least one-third of students at two year colleges and 11 percent to 19 percent of students at four year schools are facing housing insecurity. A students environment at home could be negative which can affect the students performance at home and at school. A homeless student and housing insecurity student home environment can cause stress which could lead to depression, for example having to move from place to place. Federal student aid reported over 58,000 students were homeless in 2012-2013 but experts say the number is underestimated because the form is very difficult to complete and requires valid proof for acceptance. Reading some of the comments on the blogs its common for international students to have housing insecurities. A Lot of international students aren't able to get jobs which could leave them with housing insecurities or worse homeless. Schools have housing insecurity programs that provide housing assistance, resources like this can help homeless and housing insecure students back on their feet.
ReplyDeleteBased on the College and University Basic Needs Insecurity: A National #RealCollege Survey Report, about 16 percent of those at two-year colleges are experiencing housing insecurity and homelessness, with 11 percent for four-year colleges. Homelessness rates were high for students who identified as transgender, gay or lesbian, or bisexual. American Indians or Alaskan Native students were most likely to be homeless. Housing insecure students were more likely part-time workers and were less likely to earn A’s in their courses. What I found interesting was that the report noted that about 7 percent of students who experience homelessness receive housing assistance which is something that needs improvement.
ReplyDeleteIn another report, Barriers to Success: Housing Insecurity for U.S. College Students, it lists the concerns for housing students and includes examples of successful housing programs. One of the concerns for students is that grant aid for educational-related expenses (fees, books, supplies, transportation) is being included as “income” for determining Section 8 eligibility. If grant aid was not included, then Section 8 recipients or those “who would otherwise qualify may [not] be forced into situations outside the intent of the rule.” In other words, this would give students more flexibility in their Section 8 eligibility and more housing opportunities.
One housing assistance program that should be a model for others around is the Tacoma Community College Housing Assistance Program. It provides Housing Choice Vouchers for full-time TCC students, and each year (for three years), serves up to 25 students and their families. The college also targets students in its workforce development program, which provides students with counseling and staff that helps them with their careers. This program shows that it does not only help students with housing, but it also helps them to succeed in their education.
I commend the student for continuing to come to class and get her education despite of her circumstances. Being homeless can be very depressing and can take a toll on a person's mind body and soul. Not everyone choose to be homeless. Sometimes life gets in the way and a person have no choice. When life gets in the way many people make excuses and blame everyone but themselves. The economy has a lot to do with homelessness. A person can work 40 hours a week and still not able to survive because the price of everything is going up except a person's pay. Yes many people still work for minimum wage which is only 7.25 an hr. Who in their right mind can survive off of that? Before taxes they are only making 580.00 every two weeks. That is not enough for rent, utilities, water, food and miscellaneous items and let’s not forgets tuition. Homelessness is a serious issue right now and the Government needs to find a way to help these people out.
ReplyDeleteGroup work develops creativity and produce effective way to deal with challenges. It helps minimizing stress among people working in a group to achieve the same goals. While in college, group work do not work well with many students including me. Failure to any college group work can be caused due to several reasons but the most obvious reason is some group members not contributing in same amount as other members. Comparing college group work and a professional multinational companies like Halliburton and Boeing can only be as an example to motivate students towards handling group complications. These bigger companies group work and college group work does not have much similarities to compare each other because group members selected in these companies are professional and there is always someone to monitor everyone's contribution whereas students do not get this facilities while working in groups in college. Based on my experience, many professors in college put students into group regardless of their interest to work in groups and are asked to handle any complications that occurs by themselves. This method of assigning group work has always affected at least one group of students on average in class which results to the bad grades despite they have worked hard from their side. However, no doubt that group work helps in understanding some tasks better by viewing and analyzing with different perspectives but prior to group formation, student's interest in group work should be addressed. Group work is effective but not the mandatory step towards success, some might be an extremely talented group working for NASA space research whereas some can also be a solo basic fundamental creator for further research by that group work like Albert Einstein.
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ReplyDeleteHector Jovanny Barba
ReplyDeleteDr. Ross-Nazzal
30Nov2019
When you don't have a stable roof over your head it can lead to an array of problems that all stem from the same issue. A roof over your head can create an environment of shelter where you feel safe and protected allowing you to focus on the goals that you have set for yourself. I have never been homeless but I have been very close, living in the basement of my dad’s friend with a broken ac unit that leaked all over the floor that I slept on and not knowing when I would eat made it hard for me to focus on anything that wasn’t the dream of finally moving somewhere that wasn’t that basement so I could only imagine having to juggle schoolwork alongside that.
Becoming homeless or be at the verge of becoming homeless for some college student is knowing. I have never seeing a homeless student here in Houston because it is not common. Housing insecurity is a major problem in our country, even though the government provide many resources to help people dealing with this issue. I grew up in a country (Cameroon) where the situation of housing insecurity for students is very common. Many children when they reach a certain age, they start to be stubborn, and their parent cannot support them. So, they decide to live far from their family. Other people are house insecure because they lost their parent early and they have to take care of them and they sibling too in order to have a good education. For me the government should take an action about those who do not have a roof on which they can sleep because we do not know what can happen to them outside. They are not secure, and they need to work hard in order to pay they tuition for school.
ReplyDeleteGoing homeless is a scary thing, as it becomes the only thing you can think of. What can you do? Where will you go next? How do I get out of this? These questions will remain inside your thoughts until you have answers. I remember coming close to asking myself these questions in high school. My old man got deported and that changed my entire world because I looked to him for guidance in pretty much everything and he was always the breadwinner. So, with him gone, my mother had to clean more houses and find ways to make more money. A lot of the times we couldn’t even make ends meet because it was a crazy situation. My mom is diabetic, and she must take medicine a lot through out the day. So eventually when I was old enough, I got a job to take a little bit of the load off because I could see how much work she had done. Having the insecurity of not making enough to have our basic needs was very worry-some. Minimum wage never really covered the minimum to live in life and my mom always did make sure we took care of what needed to be taken care of and that is why I am the way I am. The worry of going homeless kept us on our toes and it always shaped us to be more careful and also grateful for what we have in life.
ReplyDeleteI cannot imagine being in a position where I want to study and be accomplished while going through this terrible situation. I feel that many students that have housing insecurities do not speak out of this problem because they are afraid of being judged or looked less than others. It is a sad reality that many students give up their dreams because of this circumstance. Colleges and universities should give out pamphlets to inform the students that there are services that can help them and that they should never be afraid to speak out. I admire this student for being courageous enough to speak out.
ReplyDeleteSince last year, I found out that there were actually students who go to HCC and are indeed homeless. How I found out, was when I took classes during the summer semester and after coming out of class, I would meet up with some friends in the Student Life Building and every time I entered, I would always see the same student there. He was always there but would sit in different areas of the building. A couple of times he would sit near the games, the windows or near the back of the Career Advice Center. Sometimes I would go to campus early or when the building was getting ready to close, I would still see him there. When I saw him, majority of the time he would always wear the same type of clothes and mostly be asleep. I would sometimes wonder why he was always there and when I questioned him, he told me he took online classes and he just stays there to relax and play video games. Until one day, I entered and saw some of the workers for HCC, were questioning him. I asked one of the people behind the counter and they told me that he was a homeless student. He was indeed an HCC student but wasn’t enrolled in any classes during the semester. They told me that HCC has a problem with some homeless students. That sometimes a few homeless students would stay in buildings, such as the library, for long periods of time till the building closes. Housing insecurity is a serious issue, not only for a student’s success in class but also for their well-being. Not having the proper place to sleep, can really affect a student’s behavior, by not finding a place to sleep for the night while the campus is closed and even worse when some nights are cold and raining. The lack of sleep can affect their concentration in class to focus on their classwork and during lectures. Some homeless students can even be suffering from food insecurity. Not having the proper food to eat, can affect their studying and can lead to malnourishment. Both of these cases can affect a student’s well being and success throughout the semester.
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