The ongoing housing crisis in California continues to affect many residents, including college students who struggle with high rent and limited resources. According to a study conducted by the University of Southern California, California has the highest number of homeless students in the country.
Rising rental costs have made it difficult for some students to secure stable housing. Real estate website Zillow reports that the average monthly rent for a studio apartment in Los Angeles is about $1,700. For students like 18-year-old Alya Mirari, leaving a difficult home environment led to a period of 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, who identifies as a transgender woman, experienced homelessness during the spring but found support after enrolling at Los Angeles Valley College (LAVC) and joining its 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.”
Statewide data from the State Legislative Office shows that 25% of community college students, 11% of Cal State students, and 8% of University of California students reported experiencing homelessness.
“We do see that our students are getting the maximum amount of financial aid,” said Juan Castellanos, 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.”
