Housing Peer Navigators at All Community Colleges Toolkit
On-campus housing peer navigators help create a more supportive environment by helping college students find housing and being supportive of students’ academic pursuits. Use the toolkit below to begin advocating for a housing peer navigator position on your campus.
S20.04.05 Housing Peer Navigators at All Community Colleges
Sponsor: Antelope Valley College
Disposition: Regional Affairs Committee
WHEREAS, according to the 2017 Association of American Colleges and Universities report, 64% of college students experienced housing insecurity, while 15% reported homelessness [1];
WHEREAS, the #RealCollege Survey reported by the California Community College Chancellor's Office reported that homelessness defined as not having a stable place to live affected 19% of survey respondents [2];
WHEREAS, the California Community College Chancellor's Office is working to support students who are experiencing homelessness and food insecurity by providing grants for colleges; and
WHEREAS, there is a need to support students through the housing navigation system who might be unaware of campus resources and how to navigate the complexity of the local community coordinated entry system and the community colleges are in a position to be supportive in helping students understand the complexity of finding housing, and understanding that stigma related to homelessness is still prevalent in both our campus community and the community at large; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocate for all community colleges to have at least one Peer Navigator position who is enrolled at their institution, has lived experience, and is knowledgeable of resources at both the college and in the community;
RESOLVED, that the Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocate for the on-campus Peer Navigator to collaborate with off campus community resources associated with homelessness to maximize opportunities for students facing housing and food insecurities; and
RESOLVED, that the Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocate that the Peer Navigator help create a more supportive environment by helping college students find housing and be supportive of students’ academic pursuits.
Citation 1: AAC&U News. (2017, January/February). Facts & Figures – Food and Housing Insecurities Disproportionately Hurt Black, First-Generation, and Community College Students. Retrieved from https://www.aacu.org/aacu-news/newsletter/facts-figures/jan-feb2017
Citation 2: Jimenez, C. (2019, March 07). New Survey of California Community College Students Reveals More than Half Face Food Insecurity and Nearly 20 Percent Have Faced Homelessness. Retrieved from https://www.cccco.edu/About-Us/News-and-Media/Press-Releases/Food-Insecurity-Homelessness
