The Harsh Reality of Parenting Student Homelessness

Richard Davis Jr.

Edward Conroy

This blog kicks off a series that examines the pressing issue of homelessness among parenting students using data from the 2019-20 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study. We will unpack critical disparities and explore potential solutions for meaningful change.

Imagine being a single parent, a full-time college student, and holding down a full-time job - all while trying to manage the delicate balance of childcare. But then, one too many last-minute disruptions to your childcare arrangement costs you your job, your only source of income. With eviction looming, you and your children are forced to move between friends' couches and temporary shelters, all while you strive to keep up with classes and pursue a pathway to economic security for you and your children.

For too many parenting students, this scenario is a harsh reality. Research by Trellis Strategies shows that parenting students face higher rates of financial insecurity than their non-parenting peers, turning even small financial emergencies into crises that can push them into homelessness. Without stable housing, the already challenging path to college attainment and economic mobility that comes with it becomes almost insurmountable.

Driven by the promise of economic security through higher education, parenting students endure tremendous challenges trying to persist through their academic journeys. As one parenting student expressed to us in prior research on how well some states support older and parenting students, "We shouldn't have to choose between maintaining and bettering our lives." Yet, recent data from the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS), reveals that almost 7% of parenting students-over 213,900 families-are experiencing homelessness. This is a profound failure in the support systems and policies meant to serve families striving to better their lives through education. Stable housing is essential for academic success, and addressing this urgent issue is key to helping student parents and their children thrive.

Unpacking the Data on Student Parent Homelessness

Surprisingly, parenting students face nearly the same homeless rates as their peers without children. Although public benefit programs like the Housing Choice Voucher Program (commonly known as Section 8) are designed to prioritize families with children, it is deeply troubling that homelessness remains alarmingly common among college students with kids. This mismatch points to many systemic issues including the fact that while many families may qualify for housing assistance, the funding is insufficient to meet the demand. In a country as wealthy as the United States, any level of homelessness is unacceptable, but the prevalence of homelessness among parenting students-who should be prioritized for housing support-underscores a critical failure, as many college students with children don't know where they are going to sleep at night.

It's important to remember that homeless parenting students are not only trying to meet their own needs but are also responsible for their children's well-being. Homelessness in this context destabilized entire families, disrupting both the parent's education and the child's development. With an estimated 3.1 million student parents in the United States, the 6.9% who face homelessness represent roughly 213,900 families. This translates to about 427,800 individuals, including children, partners, spouses - and this is likely a modest estimate, as many families include more than two people.

The Intergenerational Impact of Homelessness on Parenting Students

For the more than 427,800 individuals affected by student parent homelessness, the consequences reach far beyond housing. Homelessness in this context creates a cycle of instability that can impact both parenting students and their children across generations. Research shows that children growing up in unstable housing conditions are more likely to face developmental delays and less likely to graduate from high school, fueling a cycle of instability that can affect their future opportunities.

The Surgeon General recently made clear that even without additional burdens, parents face enormous levels of stress and strain on their mental health. For parenting students, the compounded stress of homelessness makes it harder to support their children's development and succeed academically. The majority of parenting students work full-time while balancing school and family responsibilities, and homelessness adds another layer of difficulty, making it nearly impossible to focus on their studies or family well-being. Given that parenting students consistently achieve higher GPAs on average than their non-parenting peers, addressing nonacademic barriers like homelessness would not only alleviate stress but also support their continued academic success, ability to complete college, and ultimately improve their family's long-term economic stability.

Looking Ahead

As we shed light on the realities facing parenting students experiencing homelessness, we must ask: How can we better support parenting students so they do not have to worry about where they will sleep tonight? To support student parents, it is essential to advance federal policies that streamline wraparound supports and address their unique needs. Addressing these challenges requires understanding the systemic inequities that further marginalize certain groups of parenting students, making targeted solutions all the more critical.

In the next blog in this series, we'll delve into how intersecting factors-race, gender, and parenthood-amplify the risk of homelessness. These insights will underscore the need for nuanced policies that address the unique challenges facing marginalized groups within the student parent population.

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