Both colleges and policymakers recognize the importance of supporting students experiencing homelessness in higher education. The challenges involve both addressing issues of college access as well as developing strategies to support retention and degree completion once enrolled. This volume explores how homelessness intersects most social issues that marginalize individuals and negatively influence postsecondary completion, including poverty, foster care, and LGBTQ+ discrimination. As becomes evident, students experiencing homelessness should be considered in conversations about equity and access. For these students, completing some form of degree or certification beyond high school is a vital step in achieving future stability. Topics covered include: how residential experiences influence educational engagement and retention an overview of research related to housing insecurity in higher education federal and state policies related to homelessness in higher education a trauma-informed care approach to this issue an approach to understanding and studying housing insecurity among students ideas that will be necessary for policy and program development.

Table of Contents:
Executive Summary 07 Foreword 11 Introduction 13 Framing the Issue within Higher Education 16 Issues of Justice and Trauma 18 Preview of Chapters 20 Intersection of Education and Housing Insecurity 22 Size of Housing Insecurity in Higher Education 23 Economic Pressures Influencing Housing 26 Intersection of Housing Insecurity and Marginalization 28 Lack of Service Collaboration 37 Housing Insecurity and Homelessness in K-12 32 Housing Insecurity and Homelessness in Higher Education 36 Postsecondary Preparation and Access 37 Postsecondary Experiences and Retention 40 Recommendations for Practice and Research 46 Explore the Size and Scope of Housing Insecurity Locally 47 Explore Demographic Differences 48 Incorporate Housing Insecurity into Institutional Discussions of Retention 48 Understand the Impact of Institutional Type 49 Policies Framing Housing Insecurity in Higher Education 50 Federal Policies Related to Higher Education 50 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 51 McKinney-Vento and ESSA 52 College Cost Reduction and Access Act 54 Higher Education Opportunity Act 55 State Policies Related to Higher Education 56 Definitional Approaches Framing Policy, Practice, and Research 58 Recommendations for Practice and Research 61 Explore How Homelessness and Housing Insecurity Exist Locally 61 Review Institutional Policies 62 Engage in State and Federal Policy Development and Advocacy 62 Conduct Nuanced Study of FASFA for Students Experiencing Housing Insecurity 62 Study Effectiveness of State and Institutional Policies 63 Explore How Definitional Policy Influences Student Success 63 Develop Federal Higher Education Policy 63 Trauma-Informed and Sensitive Colleges 65 Understanding Trauma 66 How Trauma Related to Housing Insecurity Influences Education 69 Trauma-Sensitive Educational Institutions 73 Assessing the Issue of Housing Insecurity 74 Evaluating Institutional Policies and Practices 76 Implementing Safe, Supportive Policies and Practices 77 Sustaining Trauma-Sensitive Approaches 79 Recommendations for Practice and Research 80 Identify a Single Point of Contact 80 Avoid Diluting the Concept of Trauma 81 Continue Development of the Trauma-Informed and Trauma-Sensitive Colleges Model 81 Identify and Share Emerging Promising Practices 82 Investigate Different Forms of Housing Insecurity 83 Higher Education Housing Continuum 85 Methodological Approach and Purpose 87 Higher Education Housing Continuum 88 Housing Insecure 91 Housing Secure 98 Recommendations for Practice and Research 99 Develop a Response to Student Needs 100 Spread the Word 100 Capture Comparable Institutional, State, and National Data 101 Investigate Subcategories of Housing Insecurity 102 Implications for Policy, Practice, and Research 103 Recommendations Based on Research 103 Awareness of the Issue and Resources 104 Community Partnerships 104 Organized Response 105 Access to Mental Health Services 107 Financial Aid and Support 108 College Access 108 Comprehensive Policy Development 109 Conclusion 109 References 110 Name Index 119 Subject Index 125 About the Authors 127