The California State University is dedicated to ensuring students have the holistic support they need to succeed academically. That includes helping students meet their mental, emotional and physical needs, as research has shown secure access to basic needs like housing and food are integral to students' academic success and overall well-being.
With the recent increases in the cost of living and housing in California, the CSU has continued expanding its efforts to battle housing insecurity and homelessness among students. During the 2022-23 academic year, about 14,000 CSU students received some form of housing support from the university.
Learn how the CSU helps students who are struggling with housing insecurity.
In Case of Emergency
All 23 CSUs offer some form of emergency housing assistance, with 22 providing on-campus emergency housing and 16 providing off-campus emergency housing.
However, how that assistance is provided depends on the university. Some campuses offer on-campus rooms where students can stay for a couple nights up to a semester depending on availability, while others have master-leases in off-campus apartment buildings or their own off-campuses houses where students can stay.
Additionally, some campuses can house students with urgent housing needs in local hotels, with 16 campuses either providing hotel vouchers for students or covering the cost of brief hotel stays. Cal Poly Pomona, for example, maintains emergency housing rooms at the on-campus hotel and has a partnership with a local hotel—whereas Stanislaus State has a process for purchasing AirBnB or VRBO gift cards to distribute to students for temporary housing.
“Those programs are speaking to students who experience something that disrupts their housing," says Carolyn O'Keefe, the CSU systemwide director of Student Wellness & Basic Needs Initiatives. “Typically, students needing this type of support have experienced something unexpected that has impacted their housing, and they need a short-term bridge while they manage that challenge."
Students may also get access to emergency financial assistance that they can put toward housing needs, like move-in fees, rent, utilities and other costs. “Many campuses have general 'Basic Needs Grants,' 'Emergency Grants' or similarly named grants, which students apply for using a general application or intake form where they explain their financial need," says Emily Kass, CSU systemwide manager of Basic Needs Initiatives. “Their need could be related to housing or another form of basic needs insecurity caused by an unforeseen financial crisis threatening their wellness or livelihood, and in turn threatening their enrollment and/or their academic success."
While many campuses already offered such grants, the
Affordable Housing Grant Program, introduced in 2023, provided funding that allowed campuses to further develop grant programs for students experiencing financial challenges in securing housing.
Campuses' basic needs offices employ case managers and staff who are equipped to help students experiencing housing insecurity. They review emergency grant applications, provide case management and help connect students with housing options—as well as other support that may be needed. Often housing insecurity and food insecurity are connected, and basic needs staff will make sure students have both needs met. In fact,11 CSUs offer a residence hall meal plan to those staying in on-campus emergency housing.
Community Connections
In addition to emergency housing services, CSUs have an array of programs to help students secure housing, whether temporary or long-term—such as one-time financial assistance, ongoing case management support and connections to community referrals. To bolster their services, 18 CSUs have partnered with community-based organizations to provide housing support to students.
This includes the eight CSUs that participate in the
College-Focused Rapid Rehousing program, through which CSU students receive subsidized rental support and ongoing case management. This program is founded on community partnerships with local housing agencies. Participating campuses include
Chico, Long Beach, Northridge, Pomona,
Sacramento,
San Diego, San Francisco and San José.
“The program was designed to provide housing to students on a longer-term basis than emergency housing," O'Keefe says. “It is designed so that the campuses work with community-based organizations, and it's the community-based organizations that are making accessible the housing placements."
Cal State Long Beach, CSUN and Cal Poly Pomona, for instance, have all partnered with the organization Jovenes, Inc. through the program to provide temporary and long-term housing and support services for students experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.
“If they need immediate assistance, we're able to secure at least up to two weeks of emergency housing and maybe connect them to either resource for rooms to rent near campus," said
Davonna Watkins, the housing care manager at CPP's
Bronco Care Center.
Innovative Solutions
With an eye toward more long-term housing solutions, the CSU has also made progress in providing affordable housing options.
As part of the 2021-22 California state budget, the CSU was awarded $700 million through the state's Higher Education Student Housing Grant Program to build student housing in which rent costs no more than 30% of 50% of the area's median income. The allocation funded projects at 12 campuses: Dominguez Hills, Fresno, Fullerton, Humboldt, Long Beach, Northridge, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San José, San Marcos and Stanislaus.
At
SF State, the funding allowed the university to build a new residence hall, dining hall and student health center, as well as develop its
Reduced-Rate Student Housing Program. Students who fill out the FAFSA and are deemed Cal Grant A or B eligible can qualify for the program and will receive about a 25% reduction in the standard room rate. Because only 750 beds are available through the program, the awards are also based on the submission of housing applications.
“The Reduced-Rate Student Housing program is essential to ensure that students from all socioeconomic backgrounds can pursue their educational goals," says Jeny Patiño, SF State associate vice president of Housing, Dining & Conference Services. “By providing affordable options, we can support student success, reduce dropout rates and foster a more inclusive learning environment. We continue to advocate that educational institutions, government bodies or private entities work collaboratively to address this need, creating a supportive and equitable environment where all students can succeed."
Outside of this funding, other CSUs have also found their own innovative ways to increase affordable housing access. For example, Cal State Fullerton partnered with Homeless Intervention Services of Orange County to participate in and refer students to its
HomeShare OC program. The program pairs older adults above the age of 55 who have a spare room with college students seeking affordable housing. In exchange for reduced rent, the student provides the adult with companionship, household chores and technological assistance. Students are guaranteed a private room and access to a bathroom, kitchen, food storage and space to cook.
"Locating affordable housing is often a challenge CSUF students face, and HomeShare OC provides an opportunity for students to access affordable housing within the community and in a program that specifically has college students in mind,” says Victoria Ajemian, CSUF director of Basic Needs Services. “The HomeShare OC program has been a wonderful resource to refer students to as its structure and connection with the community as an affordable housing resource opens more opportunities for students to secure long-term housing so they can focus on their academic progress."
Though the CSU has many options to keep housing affordable for students, it has also convened an Affordable Housing Work Group to look into policy recommendations to further increase the availability of affordable housing for students.
Learn more about the CSU's
Basic Needs Initiative, which holistically cares for students' well-being, including housing, food security and mental health.