Full Description
Both colleges and policymakers recognize the importance of supporting students experiencing homelessness in higher education. The challenges involve both addressing issues of college access as well as developing strategies to support retention and degree completion once enrolled. This volume explores how homelessness intersects most social issues that marginalize individuals and negatively influence postsecondary completion, including poverty, foster care, and LGBTQ+ discrimination. As becomes evident, students experiencing homelessness should be considered in conversations about equity and access. For these students, completing some form of degree or certification beyond high school is a vital step in achieving future stability. Topics covered include: how residential experiences influence educational engagement and retention an overview of research related to housing insecurity in higher education federal and state policies related to homelessness in higher education a trauma-informed care approach to this issue an approach to understanding and studying housing insecurity among students ideas that will be necessary for policy and program development.
Contents
Executive Summary 07Foreword 11Introduction 13Framing the Issue within Higher Education 16Issues of Justice and Trauma 18Preview of Chapters 20Intersection of Education and Housing Insecurity 22Size of Housing Insecurity in Higher Education 23Economic Pressures Influencing Housing 26Intersection of Housing Insecurity and Marginalization 28Lack of Service Collaboration 37Housing Insecurity and Homelessness in K-12 32Housing Insecurity and Homelessness in Higher Education 36Postsecondary Preparation and Access 37Postsecondary Experiences and Retention 40Recommendations for Practice and Research 46Explore the Size and Scope of Housing Insecurity Locally 47Explore Demographic Differences 48Incorporate Housing Insecurity into Institutional Discussions of Retention 48Understand the Impact of Institutional Type 49Policies Framing Housing Insecurity in Higher Education 50Federal Policies Related to Higher Education 50U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 51McKinney-Vento and ESSA 52College Cost Reduction and Access Act 54Higher Education Opportunity Act 55State Policies Related to Higher Education 56Definitional Approaches Framing Policy, Practice, and Research 58Recommendations for Practice and Research 61Explore How Homelessness and Housing Insecurity Exist Locally 61Review Institutional Policies 62Engage in State and Federal Policy Development and Advocacy 62Conduct Nuanced Study of FASFA for Students Experiencing Housing Insecurity 62Study Effectiveness of State and Institutional Policies 63Explore How Definitional Policy Influences Student Success 63Develop Federal Higher Education Policy 63Trauma-Informed and Sensitive Colleges 65Understanding Trauma 66How Trauma Related to Housing Insecurity Influences Education 69Trauma-Sensitive Educational Institutions 73Assessing the Issue of Housing Insecurity 74Evaluating Institutional Policies and Practices 76Implementing Safe, Supportive Policies and Practices 77Sustaining Trauma-Sensitive Approaches 79Recommendations for Practice and Research 80Identify a Single Point of Contact 80Avoid Diluting the Concept of Trauma 81Continue Development of the Trauma-Informed and Trauma-Sensitive Colleges Model 81Identify and Share Emerging Promising Practices 82Investigate Different Forms of Housing Insecurity 83Higher Education Housing Continuum 85Methodological Approach and Purpose 87Higher Education Housing Continuum 88Housing Insecure 91Housing Secure 98Recommendations for Practice and Research 99Develop a Response to Student Needs 100Spread the Word 100Capture Comparable Institutional, State, and National Data 101Investigate Subcategories of Housing Insecurity 102Implications for Policy, Practice, and Research 103Recommendations Based on Research 103Awareness of the Issue and Resources 104Community Partnerships 104Organized Response 105Access to Mental Health Services 107Financial Aid and Support 108College Access 108Comprehensive Policy Development 109Conclusion 109References 110Name Index 119Subject Index 125About the Authors 127
