A small but growing body of research is finding that untold numbers of students are experiencing food and housing insecurity as they pursue their college education (Crutchfield, 2016). Homelessness or “housing insecurity” as referred to in this study is based on the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 2001, which cast a wide net when defining “homeless,” to include experiences of couch surfing and doubling-up in spaces not meant for two or overnight stays in emergency shelters, transitional housing, a car, a tent, a makeshift dwelling, and in the extreme, on the street. Emerging research shows that housing insecurity, experienced increasingly by college students, can lead to harmful negative outcomes including poor mental health and academic performance and increased drop-out rates (Broton, Frank, & Goldrick-Rab, 2014).

Out of growing concerns, the California State University (CSU) Chancellor’s Office commissioned a study titled “CSU System-wide Food and Housing Security Study to Determine Best Practices for Serving Students” to learn about the prevalence and experiences amongst CSU students state-wide. This graduate project is an off-shoot of that larger CSU study but with a focus on housing insecurity in a small sample of current and former California State University Northridge (CSUN) students.

This study expands the limited but growing research on students’ housing insecurity by applying a strengths based lens to three students’ narratives. In capturing their experiences, CSUN, and particularly social workers, can gain a clearer understanding of the obstacles that have challenged and supports that have sustained these students. Findings from this study may then be used to inform future policy and inspire needed action.