From Homelessness to Higher Education: A University’s Approach to Housing Students

Abstract

Homelessness among at-risk transitional age youth is an increasingly growing crisis impacting college-aged students across the United States. Thankfully, along with interest in their local community’s success, universities have the necessary resources that may offer a unique solution to this crisis. This study describes the pilot of a collaborative effort among a local youth shelter, mental health center, and a private university that provides housing and a college education simultaneously for college students experiencing homelessness and evaluates whether students who participate in such programs experience and maintain increases in life satisfaction, wellbeing, and resilience. Data were collected from a total of seven college students over a period of four years for this longitudinal study, yielding limited but encouraging results about the pilot process and the potential for an expansion of the project. Students were asked to complete surveys that assessed resilience and life satisfaction using the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (2003) and the Satisfaction with Life scale (International Wellbeing Group, 2013). Results showed students in the program presented similar scores as the general population (Zimmermann et al., 2020). Scores of well-being and resilience fluctuated; however, over time student wellbeing and resilience increased overall. Students participating in this comprehensive program achieved stability, safety, an increased standard of living, and connection. Results suggest that universities have the resources and networks to provide wrap-around services to students facing homelessness, increasing overall life satisfaction and resilience, and improving the likelihood of graduation.