A groundbreaking report released by Generation Hope reveals the devastating impact of housing insecurity on student parents pursuing higher education. The report, "Breaking Barriers: The Hidden Struggles of Student Parents and Housing Insecurity," highlights how the intersection of parenting responsibilities and housing challenges creates significant obstacles for students trying to complete their degrees.
The findings paint a stark picture: one in five undergraduate students nationwide is parenting while attending college, and housing costs often exceed tuition expenses. For many student parents, the burden of finding and maintaining stable housing threatens their academic success and their children's well-being.
"The cognitive load of managing schoolwork, parenting responsibilities, and the constant worry of having a safe and stable place to sleep can be overwhelming," explains Bri Whitfield, a Generation Hope alumna and current board member who shared her personal story in the report. Whitfield's experience illustrates how housing insecurity can force student parents into dangerous situations, as she found herself trapped in an abusive living environment while trying to complete her studies.
The report reveals troubling statistics about the scope of the problem. According to the Hope Center for Student Basic Needs, 68% of parenting students experienced housing insecurity in the previous year. The crisis disproportionately affects students of color, with Black and Latinx parenting students with young children facing housing insecurity rates of 85-90%.
Generation Hope's own data from their Scholar program in the D.C. metro region and Greater New Orleans area shows that 32 out of nearly 200 Scholars (17%) have disclosed experiencing housing insecurity. In the D.C. area alone, where housing costs are 69% higher than the national average, 13 Scholars needed emergency funding just to cover rent or mortgage payments in the current fiscal year.
The impact extends beyond the parents to affect their children's development. The report documents how housing instability can lead to delays in speech and motor skills, emotional and behavioral issues, and educational setbacks. Children living in unstable housing environments often experience anxiety and depression, creating additional stress for student parents already struggling to balance their responsibilities.
However, the report also highlights promising solutions. Generation Hope's partnerships with organizations like Sinai House in Washington, DC, and Virginia State University demonstrate how targeted interventions can make a difference. VSU's new student-parent housing program, launched in November 2023, provides dedicated campus apartments for six student parents and their young children.
