LAVC program helps students facing housing insecurity
LOS ANGELES — The housing crisis throughout California remains an issue for many, including college students.
What You Need To Know
- California has the highest number of homeless students in the country, according to a study done by USC
- 25% of community college students, 11% of Cal State students and 8% of UC students reported experiencing homelessness, according to the State Legislative Office
- The average cost for a studio apartment in LA is roughly $1,700 per month, according to real estate website Zillow
A report done by USC finds that the state is home to the highest population of homeless students.
Some college students can't keep up with the sky high cost of rent in LA, with a studio apartment costing around $1,700 per month, according to real estate website Zillow. For others, like 18-year-old Alya Mirari, leaving what they say is a bad situation, resulted in housing insecurity.
"I faced a lot of insecurity at home," said Mirari. "Since unfortunately I went through a lot of problems, personal problems and abuse."
Mirari is a transgender woman who was without a home during the spring. She was able to get back on her feet when she enrolled at Los Angeles Valley College and became a part of their basic needs program.
"As a transgender woman, for me it was very sweet of them to support me," she said. "And respect me with my decisions, and who I am as a human being."
Many other college students across the state are battling housing insecurity. Data from the State Legislative Office shows that 25% of community college students, 11% of Cal State students and 8% of UC students reported experiencing homelessness.
"We do see that our students are getting the maximum amount of financial aid," said Juan Castellanos, who is the basic needs coordinator, and counselor at LAVC. "But still, tuition, plus books, plus academic supplies, plus rent, plus hygiene and everything else that is accompanied with that is also causing a barrier to our students."
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