Addressing Housing Insecurity and Living Costs in Higher Education

September 20, 2016  

Addressing Housing Insecurity and Living Costs in Higher Education

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R) has released a guidebook, Addressing Housing Insecurity and Living Costs in Higher Education, to assist institutions of higher education as they consider, evaluate, implement, and scale up housing and other assistance programs and policies to support students' learning, persistence, and completion. With high rates of college enrollment despite stagnant or declining family incomes and increasing college costs, many college students are struggling to make ends meet and succeed in school. Improving the quality of students' lives is essential to boosting their odds of success. The guidebook, co-authored by PD&R and the Wisconsin HOPE Lab, draws on examples from institutions nationwide and describes strategies that colleges and universities can implement to support students facing housing insecurity and challenges covering other living costs, such as food and childcare. Key strategies include engaging in extensive outreach for students who may benefit from support; partnering with local agencies and organizations such as Continuums of Care; and connecting students with benefits.

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