Homelessness and food insecurity effecting college students across the country

For many college students their stresses range from classes to friends to work. But what happens when students have to worry about homelessness and food insecurity too? For many students, that issue has become a reality.

In a study conducted by researchers at Temple University and the Wisconsin HOPE Lab  with 43,000 respondents from 20 different states and the District of Columbia, 36%  of college students said they were housing insecure and 9% said they were homeless.

Eric Mansfield, the executive director for university media relations at Kent State University says the institution is well aware of the issue.

 “We’re very certainly aware that we have students who arrive her in various states of family support,” says Mansfield, “ we try to work with students on a case by case basis.

Despite being aware of the situation, the university is only able to help students if they’re willing to help themselves.

 “The challenge for us is that not every student who has a significant challenge like that is willing to come forward,” says Mansfield, “We need those students or people who know those students to reach out to the dean of students’ office and let them know.

Victoria Cohen,  the community service coordinator of Kent State’s Hillel center focuses on giving back to the community and aiding struggling Kent State students who are homeless, hungry or both. Similar to Mansfield, Cohen has seen the effects of poverty within the student population first-hand.

“I’ve talked to individuals who use the campus kitchen pantry,” and those individuals cannot afford to eat otherwise,” says Cohen, “There are a lot of students who depend on the Women’s Center and the Campus Kitchen so they can get their meals.”

Although it is currently unknown how many students at Kent State are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless, the university sees the effects of struggling students.

“We know they exist. However, we don’t have an exact number because they don’t all come forward.,” says Mansfield, “The better that we can get the handle on how many homeless students that we have is the better it is for us to go to those agencies [housing services, support services and the red cross],  and lobby for beds for them if that’s what’s needed.”

Unlike Kent State, the University of Akron is located in the city of Akron with nearly 200,000 people and is home to 6 homeless shelters some of which students can utilize if need be.

Matthew Slater, the executive director of Veteran Services for the Family and Community Services has seen an increase in the programming within the shelters due to use.

“It feels like a not a month goes by where we aren’t adding programming,” says Slater, ”The community knows the impact that we have had and they come out to support us.”

With housing instability, students are at risk for more issues than homelessness alone. Food insecurity has became a problem amongst students as well. In the same study conducted by Temple University and the HOPE Lab, around one third of students claimed to be food insecure.

For those facing food insecurity, it means they have trouble getting enough to eat on a day to day basis which can lead to skipped meals, malnutrition, weight loss, fatigue, and lack of focus.

Students who face food insecurity, homelessness, or a combination of both are still expected to perform well in classes. However, according to research conducted by Temple University and HOPE  Lab, homeless and food insecure students are taking on a larger work load.

In the research they found homeless college students devote as much time to studying and classroom attendance as college students who are not homeless. The only difference being that homeless students work more, sleep less and spend more time commuting.

“It’s hard to be a student when you’re suffering from malnutrition,” says Cohen, “ the easier we can make this for students, the more they can focus on their education which is really important.”

Although currently portage county and Kent State communicate about the needs and living arrangements of students frequently and on a case by case basis, students are still encouraged to come forward to receive assistance if they are in danger of homelessness or food insecurity.

“We’re always working with the county agencies here,” says Mansfield, “that has to do with everything from housing to security to other support services, even with the red cross.”

Although students will still have necessities to pay for, the community is gathering together to support homeless and food insecure students while letting them know they have options and resources.

“Naturally, students have to find a way to pay for their textbooks and healthcare. If they are unable to afford food, it’s probably a sign they’re struggling in other areas as well,” says Cohen “It’s important that there’s good resources for them and that students know about them.