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California Youth Homelessness Bill Tracking Quarterly Update

This is a bill update on proposed policies that impact youth experiencing homelessness in California from January to March, 2022. This year, new bills must be introduced by February 18, 2022.

This summary is intended to serve as an accessible guide to upcoming measures that impact our young people. Please note that this is not necessarily an exhaustive list; this is a selected list of bills that make a substantial impact to homeless youth in the areas of funding, programming, data, research, implementation of programs, or definitions. If there are legislative terms you are not familiar with, consider checking the California State Legislature Glossary of Legislative Terms

The synopses beneath each bill are excerpts from the Lexis Advance Bill Tracking feature, a subscription-based tool commonly used for legislative research. We have included the link to navigate directly to the bill information.

From enacting a specialized office, to expanding higher education services and definitions, to funding distribution, we hope that this continued discussion will positively support youth and young adults experiencing homelessness.

List compiled by Valerie Sanchez, posted by Pixie Popplewell

New bills

SB-1484 Income taxes: credits: qualified first-year wages: homeless youth: foster or former foster youth (2021-2022)

Introduced by Senator Shannon Grove

Status: Referred to Committee on Governance and Finance.

“Allows a credit against the Personal Income Tax and Corporation Tax Laws for each taxable year beginning on or after specified dates, in a specified amount, for qualified first year wages of qualified employees, depending on the amount of hours worked by the qualified employee during the first year of employment, not to exceed a certain amount. Defines qualified employee to mean an employee who is hired on or after a specified date, and who is a homeless youth, foster youth, or former foster youth.”

SB-1341 Homeless pupils: California Success, Opportunity, and Academic Resilience (SOAR) Guaranteed Income Program (2021-2022)

Introduced by Senator Dave Cortese

Status: From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Committee on Rules (RLS).

“Establishes the California Success, Opportunity, and Academic Resilience (SOAR) Guaranteed Income Program. Awards public school pupils who are in grade 12, have completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid or California Dream Act application, and are homeless children or youths guaranteed income each month for at least 4 months from specified date, to specified date.”

AB-2663 Youth homelessness (2021-2022)

Introduced by Assembly Member Ramos

Status: From printer. May be heard in committee March 21.

“States the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to support young people experiencing homelessness and to prevent and eradicate homelessness among California's youth, and would make related findings and declarations.”

Status updates

SB-344 Homeless shelters grants: pets and veterinary services (2021-2022)

Introduced by Senator Hertzberg (Coauthors: Senators Caballero and Wiener; Assembly Members Gabriel, Mullin, and Quirk-Silva)

Status: August 26 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.

“Requires the Department of Housing and Community Development to develop and administer a program to award grants to qualified homeless shelters, as described, for the provision of shelter, food, and basic veterinary services for pets owned by people experiencing homelessness. Authorizes the department to use up to 5% of the funds appropriated in the annual Budget Act for those purposes for its costs in administering the program.”

SB-234 Transition Aged Youth Housing Program (2021-2022)

Introduced by Senator Wiener

Status: In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.

“Establishes the Transition Aged Youth Housing Program for the purpose of creating housing for transition aged youth under 26 years of age, who have been removed from their homes, are experiencing homelessness unaccompanied by a parent or legal guardian, or are under the jurisdiction of a court, as specified, and would require the Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council to develop, implement, and administer the program.”

SB-532 Pupil instruction: high school coursework and graduation requirements: exemptions (2021-2022)

Introduced by Senator Caballero (Coauthor: Senator Wilk)

Status: In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.

“Requires the local educational agency to inform a pupil in foster care or a pupil who is a homeless child or youth, and the person holding the right to make educational decisions for the pupil, of the pupils right to remain in the pupils school of origin if the local educational agency determines the pupil is reasonably able to complete the local educational agency's graduation requirements within the pupils fifth year of high school.”

AB-637 Enabling Youth to Access Workforce Training Grant Program (2021-2022)

Introduced by Assembly Member Lackey (Coauthors: Assembly Member Cooley; Senator Wilk)

Status: Inactive Bill - Died

“Creates the Enabling Youth to Access Workforce Training Grant Program. Provides that upon appropriation by the Legislature, the bill would require the California Workforce Development Board to create the program, which would fund supportive services that are necessary for homeless youth and current or former foster youth to enable their participation in the workforce development program.”

#homeless youth #youth homelessness #california legislation

Quarterly California Youth Homelessness Bill Tracking

This is a bill update on proposed policies that impact youth experiencing homelessness in California from September 2021 to mid-December 2021. Please note that the 2021 California Legislative Session adjourned on September 10, 2021. The legislature will reconvene on January 3, 2022.

This summary is intended to serve as an accessible guide to upcoming measures that impact our young people. Please note that this is not necessarily an exhaustive list; we pulled a selected list of bills that make a substantial impact to homeless youth in the areas of funding, programming, data, research, implementation of programs, or definitions.

The synopses beneath each bill are excerpts from the Lexis Advance Bill Tracking feature, a tool frequently used for legislative research. If there are legislative terms you are not familiar with, consider checking the California State Legislature Glossary of Legislative Terms.

Status updates

SB-330 Los Angeles Community College District Affordable Housing Pilot Program (2021-2022)

Approved by Governor October 06, 2021. Filed with Secretary of State October 06, 2021.

Status: Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 572, Statutes of 2021.

“Requires the governing board of the Los Angeles Community College District to develop and implement a pilot program to provide affordable housing to students or employees of the Los Angeles Community College District, and to provide a report to the Legislature with findings and recommendations on the success of the program. Requires priority to be given to low-income students experiencing homelessness for the affordable units of the affordable housing for students or employees.” (2021 Bill Tracking CA S.B. 330)

AB-1220 Homelessness: California Interagency Council on Homelessness (2021-2022)

Approved by Governor September 29, 2021. Filed with Secretary of State September 29, 2021.

Status: Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 398, Statutes of 2021.

“Renames the council to the Interagency Council on Homelessness and would remove authorization for the Secretary of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing's designee to serve as chair of the council. Requires the Secretary of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency and the Secretary of the Health and Human Services Agency to serve as co-chairs of the council. Makes other changes to the council's membership. Provides additional changes to Welfare and Institutions Code.” (2021 Bill Tracking CA A.B. 1220)

AB-977 Homelessness program data reporting: Homeless Management Information System(2021-2022)

Approved by Governor September 29, 2021. Filed with Secretary of State September 29, 2021.

Status: Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 397, Statutes of 2021.

“Requires that a grantee or entity operating specified state homelessness programs, including the No Place Like Home Program, as a condition of receiving state funds, to enter Universal Data Elements and Common Data Elements, as defined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Homeless Management Information System Data Standards, on the individuals and families it serves into its local Homeless Management Information System, unless otherwise exempted by state or federal law. (2021 Bill Tracking CA A.B. 977)

AB-27 Homeless children and youths and unaccompanied youths: reporting(2021-2022)

Approved by Governor September 29, 2021. Filed with Secretary of State September 29, 2021.

Status: Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 394, Statutes of 2021.

“Requires a local educational agency to ensure that each school within the local educational agency identifies all homeless children and youths and unaccompanied youths enrolled at the school, administer a housing questionnaire for purposes of identifying homeless children and youths and unaccompanied youths, and annually provide the housing questionnaire to all parents or guardians of pupils and unaccompanied youths of the local educational agency.” (2021 Bill Tracking CA A.B. 27)

SB-400 Homeless children and youths: local educational agencies: collaboration, training, and reporting (2021-2022)

Approved by Governor September 29, 2021. Filed with Secretary of State September 29, 2021.

Status: Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 400, Statutes of 2021.

“Requires a liaison for homeless children and youths of a local educational agency, as defined to include a school district, county office of education, charter school, or special education local plan area, to ensure the identification by school personnel of those children and youths through outreach and coordination activities with other organizations and the referral of services to homeless families and homeless children and youth.” (2021 Bill Tracking CA S.B. 400)

SCR-57 Runaway and Homeless Youth Prevention Month (2021-2022)

Filed with Secretary of State September 17, 2021.

Status: Chaptered by Secretary of State. Res. Chapter 145, Statutes of 2021.

“Designates November 2021 as Runaway and Homeless Youth Prevention Month and recognizes the need for individuals, schools, communities, businesses, local governments, and the state to take action on behalf of runaway and homeless youth in the state.” (2021 Bill Tracking CA S.C.R. 57)

AB-565 Interagency Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship: homeless youth and foster youth (2021-2022)

Approved by Governor September 22, 2021. Filed with Secretary of State September 22, 2021.

Status: Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 194, Statutes of 2021.

“Adds the director of the State Department of Social Services as a member of the Interagency Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship. Requires the Interagency Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship to create a subcommittee to study and report on issues related to the participation of homeless youth and foster youth in apprenticeships and preapprenticeships, and prescribe specified subjects the subcommittee is to address.” (2021 Bill Tracking CA A.B. 565)

AB-362 Homeless shelters: safety regulations (2021-2022)

Approved by Governor September 29, 2021. Filed with Secretary of State September 29, 2021.

Status: Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 395, Statutes of 2021.

“Requires a city or county that receives a complaint from an occupant of a homeless shelter, or an agent of an occupant, alleging that a homeless shelter is substandard to inspect the homeless shelter. Makes the owner or operator of a homeless shelter responsible for correcting any violation cited pursuant to these provisions. Authorizes penalties. Prohibits a city or county from awarding or distributing any state funding to the owner or operator of a shelter for purposes if they fail to correct violations.” (2021 Bill Tracking CA A.B. 362)

AB-369 Medi-Cal services: persons experiencing homelessness (2021-2022)

Introduced by Assembly Member Kamlager (Coauthors: Assembly Members Bauer-Kahan, Burke, Carrillo, Cristina Garcia, Gipson, Santiago, Stone, and Wood; Senators Allen, Umberg, and Wiener)

Status: Vetoed by Governor

“Requires the Department of Health Care Services to implement a program of presumptive eligibility for persons experiencing homelessness, under which a person would receive full-scope Medi-Cal benefits without a share of cost.” (2021 Bill Tracking CA A.B. 369)

SB-344 Homeless shelters grants: pets and veterinary services (2021-2022)

Introduced by Senator Hertzberg (Coauthors: Senators Caballero and Wiener; Assembly Members Gabriel, Mullin, and Quirk-Silva)

Status: Held in committee and under submission.

SB-234 Transition Aged Youth Housing Program (2021-2022)

Introduced by Senator Wiener

Status: Ordered to inactive file on request of Senator Wiener

SB-532 Pupil instruction: high school coursework and graduation requirements: exemptions (2021-2022)

Introduced by Senator Caballero (Coauthor: Senator Wilk)

Status: Ordered to inactive file on request of Senator Caballero

#end youth homelessness #california legislation #homelessyouth

Quarterly California Youth Homelessness Bill Update

This is a bill update on purposed policies that impact youth experiencing homelessness in California from June 2021 to August 2021. This summary is to serve as an accessible guide to the upcoming measures that impact our young people. This post contains two sections: 1) New bills, and 2) Status updates from previous post. The synopses beneath each bill are excerpts from the Lexis Advance Bill Tracking feature, a tool frequently used for legislative research. If there are legislative terms you are not familiar with, consider checking the California State Legislature Glossary of Legislative Terms.

#homelessyouth #youthhomelessness

This is a bill update on purposed policies impacting youth experiencing homelessness in California from June 2020 to June 2021. This summary is to serve as an accessible guide to the upcoming measures impacting our young people.

The synopses below are excerpts from the Lexis Advance Bill Tracking feature, a tool frequently used for legal searches.

From enacting a specialized office, to expanding higher education services and definitions, to funding distribution, we hope the progress of these bills navigate a path to positively supporting youth and young adults experiencing homelessness.

AB-637 Enabling Youth to Access Workforce Training Grant Program (2021-2022)

Introduced by Assembly Member Lackey (Coauthors: Assembly Member Cooley; Senator Wilk)

Status : Active Bill - In Committee Process

SB-532 Pupil instruction: high school coursework and graduation requirements: exemptions (2021-2022)

Introduced by Senator Caballero (Coauthor: Senator Wilk)

Status: Active Bill - In Committee Process

AB-27 Homeless children and youths and unaccompanied youths: reporting(2021-2022)

Introduced by Assembly Members Luz Rivas, Chiu, and Quirk-Silva (Principal coauthor: Assembly Member McCarty) (Coauthors: Assembly Members Boerner Horvath, Cristina Garcia, and Salas)

Status: Active Bill - In Committee Process

SB-400 Homeless children and youths: local educational agencies: collaboration, training, and reporting (2021-2022)

Introduced by Senator Jones

Status: Active Bill - Pending Referral

“Requires local educational agency, as defined to include a school district, county office of education, charter school, or special education local plan area, to collaborate with other organizations that provide services to homeless children and youths to enhance the identification of, and the provision of services to, those children and youths.” (2021 Bill Tracking CA S.B. 400)

SB-234 Transition Aged Youth Housing Program (2021-2022)

Introduced by Senator Wiener

Status: Active Bill - In Committee Process

AB-408 Homeless children and youths: reporting (2021-2022)

Introduced by Assembly Members Quirk-Silva and Luz Rivas

Status: Active Bill - In Committee Process

“Requires a local educational agency, as defined to include a school district, county office of education, charter school, or special education local plan area, to establish homeless education program policies that are consistent with specified state laws, and would further require the local educational agency to update these policies at intervals not exceeding 3 years.” (2021 Bill Tracking CA A.B. 408)

AB-413 Foster youth: housing (2021-2022)

Introduced by Assembly Member Ting (Coauthors: Assembly Member Arambula; Senator Caballero)

Status: Active Bill - In Committee Process

“Deletes provisions conditionally suspending a program requiring the Department of Housing and Community Development to provide funding to counties for allocation to child welfare services agencies to help young adults who are 18 to 24 years of age secure and maintain housing, and subjecting the requirements of the program to an annual appropriation in the Budget Act.” (2021 Bill Tracking CA A.B. 413)

AB-775 Public postsecondary education: basic needs of students (2021-2022)

Status: Active Bill - In Committee Process

“Requires each campus to provide the document to students as a part of campus orientations in either electronic format or paper form, and to provide to faculty, and encourage the faculty to include in their syllabi, the online link to the electronic format of the document, the location of the Basic Needs Center, and the contact information for the coordinator.” (2021 Bill Tracking CA A.B. 775)

AB-977 Homelessness prevention programs: Homeless Management Information System(2021-2022)

Introduced by Assembly Members Gabriel and Petrie-Norris (Coauthors: Assembly Members Fong, McCarty, Nazarian, Quirk-Silva, Blanca Rubio, and Voepel)

Status: Active Bill - In Committee Process

“Mandates that recipients of state homelessness funding report key data and metrics through the States Homeless Management Information System, thereby allowing policymakers to better track and evaluate the effectiveness of various programs around the state.” (2021 Bill Tracking CA A.B. 977)

SB-100 Extended foster care program working group (2021-2022)

Introduced by Senator Hurtado

Status: Active Bill - In Committee Process

“Requires the State Department of Social Services to convene a working group to examine the extended foster care program and make recommendations for improvements to the program within six months. Requires the working group to evaluate and provide recommendations on the overall functioning of the extended foster care system, higher education opportunities and supports for nonminor dependents, and job training and employment opportunities and supports for nonminor dependents.” (2021 Bill Tracking CA S.B. 100)

SB-364 Pupil meals: Free School Meals For All Act of 2021 (2021-2022)

Introduced by Senator Skinner (Principal coauthors: Senators Eggman, Hertzberg, Laird, Limón, and McGuire; Assembly Members Berman and Luz Rivas) (Coauthors: Senators Allen, Gonzalez, Hueso, Newman, Umberg, Wieckowski, and Wiener; Assembly Members Burke, Carrillo, Chiu, Cooley, Cooper, Cristina Garcia, Eduardo Garcia, Levine, Nazarian, Quirk-Silva, Reyes, Robert Rivas, Rodriguez, Santiago, Stone, and Villapudua)

Status: Active Bill - In Committee Process

“Enacts the Free School Meals For All Act. Expresses the finding and declaration of the Legislature that no child in California should experience hunger and that every public school pupil should benefit from access to a healthy, locally procured and freshly prepared meal during the schoolday.” (2021 Bill Tracking CA S.B. 364)

AB-369 Medi-Cal services: persons experiencing homelessness (2021-2022)

Introduced by Assembly Member Kamlager (Coauthors: Assembly Members Bauer-Kahan, Burke, Carrillo, Cristina Garcia, Gipson, Santiago, Stone, and Wood; Senators Allen, Umberg, and Wiener)

Status: Active Bill - In Committee Process

AB-362 Homeless shelters: safety regulations (2021-2022)

Introduced by Assembly Member Quirk-Silva

Status: Active Bill - In Committee Process

“Establishes minimum health and safety standards for homeless shelters, as defined, including, but not limited to, minimum standards for homeless shelter maintenance, interior air quality, sleeping rooms, and laundries.” (2021 Bill Tracking CA A.B. 362)

SB-344 Homeless shelters grants: pets and veterinary services (2021-2022)

Introduced by Senator Hertzberg (Coauthors: Senators Caballero and Wiener; Assembly Members Gabriel, Mullin, and Quirk-Silva)

Status: Active Bill - In Committee Process

AB-1575 Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council: needs analysis (2021-2022)

Introduced by Committee on Housing and Community Development [Assembly Members Chiu (Chair), Seyarto (Vice Chair), Gabriel, Kalra, Kiley, Maienschein, Quirk-Silva, and Wicks]

Status: Active Bill - In Committee Process

“Requires the Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council to conduct, or contract to conduct, a specified statewide needs and gaps analysis regarding homelessness. Identifies and describes state programs that provide housing or services to persons experiencing homelessness and create a financial model that will assess certain investment needs for the purpose of moving persons experiencing homelessness into permanent housing.” (2021 Bill Tracking CA A.B. 1575)

AB-724 Homelessness programs: funding (2021-2022)

Introduced by Assembly Member Ward

Status: Active Bill - In Committee Process

“Requires specified state entities to develop a streamlined funding program that meets specified criteria, to support the state's policy goal of reducing homelessness statewide by providing funding opportunities for local governments, to increase their capacity to respond to local homelessness needs through providing housing, emergency shelters, or other assistance to homeless individuals and families, or those at risk for homelessness, designed to reduce homelessness in their local areas.” (2021 Bill Tracking CA A.B. 724)

AB-2416 Postsecondary education: student financial aid: satisfactory academic progress (2019-2020)

Introduced by Assembly Member Gabriel

Status: Approved by Governor September 29, 2020. Filed with Secretary of State September 29, 2020.

“Requires that determinations of satisfactory academic progress by the institutions participating in student aid programs consider homelessness within the meaning of the federal McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act as an extenuating circumstance for students who are otherwise unable to meet the requirements deemed to constitute satisfactory academic progress at the institutions, and that extenuating circumstance may be considered by the institutions to alter or excuse compliance with those progressions.” (2019 Bill Tracking CA A.B. 2416)

AB-2174 Homeless multidisciplinary personnel teams (2019-2020)

Introduced by Assembly Member Gallagher

Status: Approved by Governor September 25, 2020. Filed with Secretary of State September 25, 2020

“Authorizes the Counties of Yuba and Sutter to jointly establish a homeless adult and family multidisciplinary personnel team.” (2019 Bill Tracking CA A.B. 2174)

#homeless youth

1 in 5 California Community College students experienced homelessness at least once in the past year—and even more experienced food insecurity. What other types of challenges do these students face? And how do they navigate these challenges?

This year we partnered with a team of graduate students from Claremont Graduate University and interviewed 20 current and former community college students who experienced housing insecurity across California. The resulting report, Student Resilience in the Face of Challenges at California’s Community Colleges examines the many intersecting challenges that these students faced, their needs and resilience strategies, and what we can do to support their academic success. The experiences that these students shared are stark examples of the complexities that many college students must navigate in order to pursue their higher education goals.

Here’s a preview of what we found:

○ Community college students face many different challenges including food, housing, financial, academic, psychological, transportation, and relationship challenges—all which negatively impact their academic success.

○ Lack of awareness of resources, difficulties accessing resources, restrictive eligibility requirements, unhelpful resources, and negative experiences with resources are all barriers to students accessing needed on- and off-campus supports.

○ Social support from friends, family, counselors, professors, and program staff are critical for navigating challenges and fostering resilience. These relationships provide students with tangible resources, like food, money, and a place to stay, and also with intangible resources, like referrals and encouragement.

○ Students demonstrate resilience in the many different ways that they balance their school, work, and personal responsibilities as well as in how they navigate basic needs challenges. For example, students took intentional actions to change their perspectives, difficult situations, physical environments, and social environments in order to help themselves during, and through, difficult circumstances.

When people, policies, and practices align to support all students to acquire meaningful college credentials, we can end cycles of poverty and enable them to embrace their fullest potential. Check out the full report and the short summary, as well as students’ advice to their peers!

What can you do today to support college students in meeting their basic needs and overcoming challenges?

Youth Homelessness at the Intersection of a Pandemic and the Public Health Crisis of Systemic Racism

Coauthored by Pixie Pearl and Samah Atique

The overlapping and persistent issues of systemic racial injustice and homelessness that affect the health and wellbeing of youth are being intensified by the coronavirus pandemic.

Often the experience of young people navigating homelessness and housing insecurity is addressed while being paired with single-faceted issues, such as college financial aid, criminalization, LGBTQ+, etc. While these pairings examine the multilayered effects on youth, the intersectionality of deeper systemic challenges is underrepresented. The absence of calling attention to the overlapping systemic disparities causes recommendations for change, implementation efforts, and system solutions to address the entangled problems and their impact.

Youth Homelessness

In California, youth homelessness refers to minors in families that are housing insecure, unaccompanied minors, ages 12 to 17, who are living apart from their parents or legal guardians, and young adults, ages 18 to 24, who are detached from their families and are living in unstable or inadequate living situations, inclusive of those that are pregnant and parenting themselves. Such living situations include sleeping on friends’ couches, staying in shelters, or living under bridges, in abandoned buildings, or on the streets. Youth that fall into this category include minors who have left home for one or more nights without permission, those who have been told to leave home, are abandoned or deserted, or are prevented from returning home, as well as youth who have aged out of or self-exited from foster care, or been released from juvenile justice or other public systems with nowhere to go.

Brief periods of homelessness leads to a lifetime of homelessness. More than half of youth that are unsheltered, experience homelessness for two to nine years. The majority of youth identify the following as the major reason for their homelessness or episodes of running away: family conflict and breakdown, often connected to abuse or neglect, alcohol or drug addiction of a family member; pregnancy; and rejection over their sexual orientation and gender identity. Many youth in foster care, juvenile justice, and/or mental health systems become unhoused when they transition out without the support and opportunities for housing and employment. These systems also create additional barriers when it comes to intersectional identities, such as gender identity, sexual orientation, parenting, ethnicity, and race.

Racial Inequity as a Public Health Crisis

Racial inequities continue to plague the healthcare system in a way that disproportionately harms Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). This can be attributed to decades of racial, social and systemic inequalities that have contributed to the disparate treatment of BIPOC in the public health environment. This holds several implications related to mental health, public safety and the overall risk Californians face when interacting with healthcare professionals, often based solely on the color of their skin.

Overall, racial minorities receive far poorer health care treatment and face far higher mortality rates than their white counterparts. For example, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black, American Indian, and Alaska Native women have a likelihood two to three times higher than that of white women to die from pregnancy-related circumstances, a trend that worsens with age. Furthermore, statistics show that in comparison to non-Hispanic whites, Blacks have a 25% higher chance of dying from heart disease, 40% higher chance of losing their lives to breast cancer, and are 44% more likely to pass away from a stroke. Some reasons for these discrepancies include the poorer quality of care, dismissal of symptoms, and lack of sufficient monitoring and supervision when it comes to the treatment of Black patients and their interactions with healthcare professionals. Furthermore, there is a severe lack of training and understanding in regards to implicit racial and ethnic biases in the healthcare system. This holds severe implications for the future of patient-provider interactions and the safety of Black patients at the hands of these providers.

In response to these inequities, San Bernardino County declared racism a public health crisis earlier this year, along with an increasing number of cities across the United States. More specifically, San Bernardino formally recognized that these racial disparities are detrimental to the health and wellbeing of communities and prevent societal progress. These public acknowledgements are the first of many steps necessary to ensure that racism in public health and beyond is properly addressed. With Black and Indigenous Americans facing the highest mortality rates from COVID-19, the need for healthcare reform regarding the treatment of BIPOC becomes painfully clear.

COVID-19

To try to limit the spread of COVID-19 in California, health experts and officials have focused on urging individuals to remain at home, or shelter in place, and limit contact with others in public spaces. However, this is not a feasible option for thousands of individuals experiencing homelessness in California, particularly youth, who already face several barriers to attaining shelter. Those that do have the ability to stay in shelters, are often forced to live in overcrowded spaces with inadequate access to showers, running water, hygiene products, and other basic necessities. In addition, due to COVID-19, several shelters are now limiting the number of people allowed to utilize their resources.

These circumstances put youth experiencing homelessness at an increased risk of being infected. The CDC reported in May that 66% of residents and 16% of staff at a shelter in San Francisco, MSC-South, tested positive for COVID-19. Such alarming statistics highlight the difficult decision that individuals experiencing homelessness must make when choosing where to stay. Many appear to be opting to live outdoors in unsheltered conditions, viewing this as a safer option.

In March, the CDC issued guidelines instructing cities that, unless housing units are available, “do not clear encampments during community spread of COVID-19. Clearing encampments can cause people to disperse throughout the community,” which “increases the potential for disease spread.” Nevertheless, there have been news media reports of cities across California issuing “move along orders” to those unsheltered.

The federal CARES Act passed in March sought to alleviate this crisis by granting $4 billion to the Emergency Solutions Grants Program (ESG) to provide assistance to people at risk of or experiencing homelessness. The act also provides tenants protection from evictions through the creation of a national moratorium. However, even as the moratorium has recently been extended, some families are at risk of losing their homes after the eviction moratoriums end as payments continue to accumulate over its duration. An additional element of this act is the Economic Impact Payments, which are automatic stimulus payments of up to $1,200 for individuals who meet eligibility requirements. However, some issues with eligibility, specifically for youth, include the exclusion of dependent youth over 17 and individuals who are not U.S. citizens from receiving these benefits, and the lack of clarity regarding youth who are no longer claimed as dependents in 2020.

In April, 151,278 Californians experienced homelessness on any given day. The Governor issued an executive order, establishing Project Roomkey (now rebranded Project Homekey), an initiative to accumulate 15,000 hotel rooms alongside 1,300 FEMA trailers to house those experiencing homelessness to prevent, quarantine, and isolate any transmission of the coronavirus in California. In three months, the project housed 14,200 individuals. Unfortunately, youth and young adults experiencing homelessness are a low, if not completely absent percentage of these efforts. Many counties participating in Project Homekey are utilizing a vulnerability approach to prioritizing eligibility and access. Many of these approaches focus on helping those over age 65 with pre-existing conditions. In general, counties are splitting eligibility and risk into the age brackets of 18-54, 55-59, 60-64, and 65+. The bracket inclusive of youth and young adults experiencing homelessness spans across 36 years, which ultimately overlooks their specific vulnerabilities, renders them generally ineligible to participate in Project Homekey, and excludes them from the initiative to permanently house those enrolled.

Furthermore, youth and young adults engaged in education (approximately 269,269 public school students and 2.1 million college students over the course of a year in California) are expected to navigate and participate in distance learning, with assumed access to computers, phones, internet, electricity, or homelessness liaisons to assist in navigation.

COVID and Racism Intersect to Compound Homelessness

COVID-19 and racism are both public health crises affecting California and the nation. The coronavirus pandemic has further exposed the racial inequities that exist in the healthcare system and access to affordable housing. In addition, decades of systemic racism have left People of Color financially vulnerable to the economic disruption and recession induced by COVID-19. Without additional federal or state assistance, many economists predict a flood of evictions to take place in the coming months. With the school year already in session or soon to begin, youth experiencing homelessness are disproportionately at risk of not being able to access distance education. The lack of educational access disrupts the opportunity for youth to thrive and hinders their social and emotional wellness and threaten their lives.

As protests happen within California communities for justice from police killings of unarmed Black people, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Jacob Blake, amongst many others, community members experiencing homelessness on those same streets are impacted. With curfews being enforced to minimize the voices of change agents to police brutality, individuals who remained outdoors after these curfew hours are being met with rubber bullets, tear gas, and subjected to arrest. Youth of color experiencing homelessness on nights of protest against police brutality are in no way safe in the aftermath. The protests, curfews, and quarantine now roll into California’s wildfire season causing additional displacements and unhealthy living environments for those unsheltered.

Additionally, centuries of systemic racism have segregated generations of People of Color into the industries that are being disproportionately impacted by the recession, as well as jobs that make it difficult to practice recommended safety measures. Due to these economic disparities, the $600 weekly unemployment insurance provided by the CARES Act has served as a lifeline for many individuals and families; therefore, failure to continue assistance during the economic shutdown is projected to disproportionately affect People of Color and exacerbate the existing racial wealth gap. Unfortunately, those workers in industries deemed essential do not have access to these unemployment benefits, even though the income would exceed their current employment pay.

A report by the UC Berkeley Labor Center identified that Black and Latinx folks make up 48% and 55% of front line essential workers, respectively. More specifically, 47% of these essential workers are identified as Transitional Aged Youth (18 to 24 years old), and are the highest age bracket percentage for janitorial and cashier positions. Youth and young adult essential workers experiencing homelessness are at a higher risk of being exposed and contracting COVID-19. Youth of Color, who already experience disproportionate access to healthcare services, are significantly more likely to contract diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, which are directly linked to a higher susceptibility of being infected by and losing one’s life to COVID-19. Youth that are unsheltered, unaccompanied, and experiencing the impacts of homelessness are expected to navigate the quarantine shutdowns with no running water, limited access to showers and sanitation products, limited to no access to indoor spaces for electricity, internet, and respite from the elements.

Conclusion

Youth of Color experiencing homelessness during the coronavirus pandemic and the movement to end racial injustice are expected to navigate and overcome overwhelming barriers. Their health and well-being are jeopardized through decreased access to quality medical care, over policing, lack of access to financial, emotional, and housing stability, as well as deeply embedded structural and systemic racism. Youth should not be ignored, criminalized, or seen as less than regardless of their gender, orientation, ability, housing status, or race/ethnicity. This is a pivotal time to educate ourselves, agencies, and communities on the interwoven discrimination and disparities effecting youth at the intersection of homelessness and racism, and to work together to strategically dismantle present barriers. The first step is to listen.

The following recommendations are amplified from youth, provider, and community voices.

State and Local System Policy Recommendations

Using funds from state/county/city relief packages in a way that utilizes a racial justice and equity approach within youth homelessness service system

Urging more counties/states to declare racism as a public health crisis

Extending unemployment insurance

A minimum of 8% of Project Homekey efforts for permanent housing transition should be set aside for youth/young adults

Extend moratorium to three months post pandemic, with back rent forgiveness

Formalize/ensure youth experiencing homelessness receive previous and any future economic relief stimulus

Fully implement and formalize/permanent encampments/parking/sleeping outside

Request additional support for essential underpaid workers

Agency Implementation Recommendations

More Implicit Bias training and accountability in the healthcare system specific to race and economic status/homelessness

Educate and implement staff and agency mission on youth best practices for service provision, including but not limited to racism, mental health, trauma informed care, LGBTQ+, and youth homelessness

Uplift and amplify young voices, including BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color) youth by ensuring opportunities and platforms for feedback and input are available

Individual/Community Recommendations

Educate self on personal implicit biases and encourage others to do the same

Find and share resources for youth experiencing homelessness in your area

Provide space for youth experiencing homelessness to identify their needs

Advocate for legislation that serves to uplift youth experiencing homelessness with emphasis for BIPOC youth

#Youth Homelessness #systemic racism #covid19 #californiahomeless

Upcoming Measures Impacting Our Young People

This is a bill update on purposed policies impacting youth experiencing homelessness in California. This summary is to serve as an accessible guide to the upcoming measures impacting our young people.

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AB-1845 Homelessness: Office to End Homelessness (Asm Luz, Rivas, and Chiu; Coauthor: Asm Robert Rivas)

Establishes the Governor’s Office to End Homelessness, which would be responsible for creating partnerships and coordinate homelessness services, data, and policies with local, state, and federal agencies to identify specific strategies to end homelessness. This office is directly responsible for overseeing the Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council.

The Governor shall appoint up to 19 members of the council as follows:

● The Secretary of Business, Consumer Services, and Housing, on Housing Insecurity and Homelessness of the Governor’s Office to End Homelessness, or the secretary’s designee, who shall serve as chair of the council. ● Representatives from: o Department of Transportation o Department of Housing and Community Development o State Department of Social Services o California Housing Finance Agency o State Department of Health Care Services. o Department of Veterans Affairs o Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation o California Tax Credit Allocation Committee in the Treasurer’s office o Victim Services Program within the Division of Grants Management in the Office of Emergency Services o State Department of Education o State public higher education system who shall be from one of the following: ▪ The California Community Colleges ▪ The University of California ▪ The California State University o A person who formerly experienced homelessness who lives in California o A youth who formerly experienced homelessness who lives in California o Two representatives of local agencies or organizations that participate in the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Continuum of Care Program o State advocates or other members of the public or state agencies, at the Governor’s discretion

This office’s goals are to:

● Identify mainstream resources, benefits, and services that can be accessed to prevent and end homelessness in California ● Create partnerships among agencies for the purpose of arriving at specific strategies to end homelessness ● Increase efficiency and effectiveness while focusing on designing systems to address the needs of people experiencing homelessness, including unaccompanied youth under 25 years of age ● Coordinate existing funding and applications for competitive funding ● Make policy and procedural recommendations to legislators and other governmental entities ● Identify and seek funding opportunities for state entities that have programs to end homelessness ● Align and coordinate resources, reduce burdens of accessing existing resources, and foster common applications for services, operating, and capital funding ● Serve as a statewide facilitator, coordinator, and policy development resource on ending homelessness in California ● Report to the Governor, federal Cabinet members, and the Legislature on homelessness and work to reduce homelessness ● Ensure accountability and results in meeting the strategies and goals of the council ● Identify and implement strategies to fight homelessness in small communities and rural areas ● Create a statewide data system, with the ultimate goal of matching data on homelessness to programs impacting recipients of state programs ● Set goals to prevent and end homelessness among California’s youth ● Work to improve the safety, health, and welfare of young people experiencing homelessness in the state ● Increase system integration and coordinating efforts to prevent homelessness among youth who are currently or formerly involved in the child welfare system or the juvenile justice system ● Lead efforts to coordinate a spectrum of funding, policy, and practice efforts related to young people experiencing homelessness ● Identify best practices to ensure minors experiencing homelessness who may have experienced maltreatment have the ability to self-refer to the child welfare system

AB-2388: Public postsecondary education: basic needs of students (Asm. Berman)

This identifies that by July 2021, each California community college will establish a Basic Needs Coordinator position to support and connect students with on and off campus resources tending to food, housing, mental health, and other basic needs. Community college campuses will also be tasked with creating a Basic Needs Center to act as a main location where services, resources, resource listing, and staff are easily accessible. Additional requirements will include strategic outreach to students to ensure knowledge of the center and resources, as well as, incorporating a student basic needs tab on the campus website home page.

AB-2416: Postsecondary education: student financial aid: satisfactory academic progress (Asm Gabriel)

Seeks to amend the student financial aid programs requirement of “satisfactory academic progress”, allowing students falling under the McKinney-Vento definition of homelessness to be identified as experiencing an “extenuating circumstance” and be excused from the progress requirement. This act would apply to the Cal Grant Program, Chafee Educational and Training Vouchers Program, Willie L. Brown, Jr Community Service Scholarship Program, California State Work-Study Program, Middle Class Scholarship Program, and the California DREAM Loan Program.

AB-2884 California State Lottery: revenue allocation (Asm. Berman)

Expands use of lottery funds allocated to California community colleges to be used to provide housing and food assistance to students experiencing housing, food, and financial insecurity.

AB-3069 State employment: homeless and foster youth: pilot program (Asm. Lackey)

Creates a pilot state internship program (LEAP) for former foster youth and youth experiencing homelessness. After a completion of 512 working hours, the interns are considered to meet the qualifications of the state position without requiring an examination. Internships can be positioned as paid or unpaid dependent on the department holding the position.

AB-3300 Homelessness: California Access to Housing and Services Act (Asm. Santiago, Bloom, Bonta, Gipson, Quirk-Silva, and Wicks; Principal coauthors: Asm. Carrillo, Gloria, Kalra, and Nazarian; Coauthors: Asm. Chu, Friedman, Jones-Sawyer, Voepel, and Waldron)

Outlines the provisions for the upcoming fiscal year for the Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention Program (HHAP), which originally disbursed $650 million across California in the form of one-time grant in 2019. This bill would transfer $2 trillion to be allocated after administrative and Governor’s Office to End Homelessness costs are deducted. The 2020-21 fiscal year remainder is divided out by 55% to areas that their a County and CoC (Continuum of Care) jointly apply; 45% to large cities that apply; and 5% to developers in areas not covered otherwise, with grant recipients mandated to acquire a 25% match. Grants will be awarded with a significant weight on the latest Point-in-Time Count (PIT Count) and requiring a 10% set aside for youth housing and services.

#Youth Homelessness #end youth homelessness #collegehomelessness

Announcing CHYP's New Director

Friends of the California Homeless Youth Project,

I knew 2020 would be a time of transition but like so many of us, I couldn’t have anticipated just how deeply that would be true as I prepare to leave my post as the Director of the California Homeless Youth Project (CHYP). I have proudly and joyfully been a part of CHYP since 2009 and have woken up every day grateful to be well-positioned to make change here in California. Highlights of my time at the CHYP include:

· Authoring the nation’s first state action plan to end youth homelessness, · Delivering my first keynote at the CSU Basic Needs Conference in 2018, · Founding and facilitating Sacramento’s Youth Advisory Board, and · Developing policy recommendations adopted into state law such as SB 252 which waives high school equivalency exam fees for youth experiencing homelessness, AB 801 (the Success for Homeless Youth in Higher Education Act), AB 1228 which requires public colleges and universities to create a plan to house students experiencing homelessness during academic breaks, and countless other pieces of legislation that will live on and continue to impact the lives of Californians for years to come.

I am thrilled to introduce you all to the new Director of the CHYP, Pixie Pearl. Pixie (Fae/Faem/Faer) holds a Masters of Social Work degree from California State University, Sacramento, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Human Services. Fae assisted in launching Sacramento’s first LGBTQ+ focused shelter and formal host homes program for youth experiencing homelessness. Pixie is also the youth service provider representative on the Sacramento CoC (Continuum of Care) Advisory Board, and is a member of Sacramento’s Dream Team for the A Way Home America Grand Challenge, a two year national initiative to end homelessness for LGBTQ+ youth and youth of color, setting the path to ending homelessness for all youth. Pixie enjoys spending time with faer family and two kiddos, busting out randomly like a broken karaoke machine, and crafting.

Pixie formerly worked with the CHYP while pursuing graduate school and we are so grateful for faer return. Please be sure to reach out and say hello!

Contact Pixie here: [email protected] Since we can’t have an in-person goodbye celebration, please share this video I recently recorded speaking about youth homelessness on social media to honor this legacy by educating others about this crisis and what we can do about it. In solidarity, Shahera Hyatt

A warm welcome to Pixie Pearl, the new CHYP Director!

Basic Needs in College: What Do We Want to Do or See Happen?

Last month, CHYP director Shahera Hyatt spoke at the 2020 Intersegmental Basic Needs Summit on college student homelessness alongside Jillian Sitjar, Higher Education Program Manager at SchoolHouse Connection, and Jeanne Awrey, Homeless Youth Liaison of Orange County. This two-day summit led by the California Higher Education Basic Needs Alliance (CHEBNA) brought together over 750 students, staff, faculty, and administrators from the CCC, CSU, and UC systems as well as community partners in order to advance basic needs security efforts across the California. Conversations at the summit included finding ways that all three higher education systems can form partnerships and sharing best practices in helping college students meet their basic needs.

At the end of the hour-long workshop, Shahera, Jillian, and Jeanne asked the audience what they would like to do or see happen to better help our college students meet their basic needs. Many participants focused on increasing the availability, accessibility, and affordability of basic needs resources on campuses. Ideas included:

Create a national budget for homelessness.

Build emergency housing into campus housing for students with full

wraparound support services.

Create a center with a navigation station on campus that provides case

management, financial aid, mental health, housing, an on-site furnished

kitchen, and employment opportunities.

[Provide] affordable four-year housing (or two-year housing for transfers)

for all students who want it.

Identify ways to keep housing and dining rates for incoming students

affordable.

Others highlighted the powerful potential of collaborations between campuses and the public, nonprofit, and private sectors:

Improve guidance on GetCalFresh.org to increase student approval rate.

Structure student housing so that students can use federal housing

dollars/vouchers.

Create more community-based relationships to support students with

services not offered by campus

Everyone with a spare bedroom hosts a college student for at least one

semester every 2 years

Find private funding to build dorms/housing

Lastly, a several participants noted the need for cultural shifts in how we think about basic needs:

We really need to be addressing family needs... not just the individual

student.

Break down the “having” of basic needs insecurity.

Thank you to the all the workshop participants who shared their amazing ideas! Greater financial investments, stronger multi-sector collaborations, and insightful reframings of food and housing challenges are all needed to ensure that California’s college students have the supports they need to succeed! The more these on-the-ground ideas are brought to the policy table, the more we will see policies and practices that help all students reach their higher education dreams.

New Resource Guide for Students Experiencing Basic Needs Insecurity

Do you know where college students can go on campus to get help with a food, housing, or financial emergency?

Today the CHYP published a new resource guide, Emergency Housing, Food, & Financial Resources for Undergraduates at California’s Public Colleges and Universities! Looking at 82 of California’s public colleges and universities, this resource guide helps students and the faculty and staff who support them find emergency food, housing, and financial resources on their campuses.

This updated resource guide builds on CHYP's recent report, Measuring Our Success: Campus Supports for College Students Experiencing Food & Housing Insecurity.

Here are just three examples of basic needs resources that California’s public campuses offer to support their students:

Palomar College students experiencing a financial crisis can apply for up to $500 through the Palomar College Foundation Student Emergency Grant. Short-term loans are also available through the Financial Aid Office and through the Office of Student Life & Leadership. Former foster youth participating in the F.Y.R.S.T. program are eligible to apply for additional emergency funds.

CSU Fresno students experiencing homelessness can reach out to staff at Project HOPE or the Campus Assessment, Response, and Evaluation (CARE) Team to apply for Emergency Homeless Student Housing. The campus provides temporary housing for eligible students in a dorm for up to two weeks. During this time, a case manager works with the students to help them secure long-term housing. In addition, students who have experienced homelessness may qualify to participate in the Renaissance Scholars Program.

Students struggling with food insecurity at UC Davis have access to numerous resources. At Aggie Compass, students can get CalFresh enrollment assistance and receive fresh fruits and vegetables during Fruit & Veggie Up! produce giveaways. The nearby Pantry provides dry and canned goods. Hungry students can also receive free meals at the EOPS Office through the All People Eat Program and at the dining commons through the Aggie Meal Share Program.

Check out the resource list: Emergency Housing, Food, & Financial Resources for Undergraduates at California’s Public Colleges and Universities

November is National Runaway Prevention Month

As we gear up for the cozy and hopefully not too hectic holidays, a humbling reminder is that some youth and young adults do not have homes to go to. November is National Runaway Prevention Month, a public awareness campaign designed to “Shine a Light” on the experiences of runaway and homeless youth that too often remain invisible. It is also an opportunity to spotlight the resources available and the bigger policy changes needed to address this national crisis.

Throughout November, we will share facts on youth homelessness, promising practices, and big-idea-changes. We encourage you to get engaged! You can share, like, and retweet to help get the word out about youth homelessness and what we can do about it.

New to the issue of youth homelessness, or need a refresher? Check out this 15 minute summary provided by CHYP Director Shahera Hyatt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdO_ZWMGrro

2019 Legislation Roundup

Photo by Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press

Here is a quick review of key laws passed this legislative session that relate to youth and young adults experiencing homelessness as well as other basic needs challenges.

_______________________________________________

Basic Needs & Higher Education

AB 806: Expanding existing college-related supports to include former homeless youth

This law builds on AB 801 (2016) mainly by expanding services to include formerly homeless youth. AB 801 required the CSU, required the CCC, and requested the UC to grant homeless youth enrollment priority until January 1, 2020. AB 806 makes “former homeless youth” also eligible for enrollment priority. In addition, it extends the enrollment priority of former and current homeless youth indefinitely.

AB 806 adds formerly homeless youth to the students that a Homeless and Foster Student Liaison should work with. Liaisons are now responsible for serving current and former homeless youth as well as current and former foster youth. AB 806 makes formerly homeless youth eligible for the CCC enrollment fee waiver.

Here, a “formerly homeless youth” refers to someone 24 years old or younger who has received verification of their status as a homeless youth at any point during the two years before they submitted their college application.

AB 1278: Making it easier for college students to learn about public resources

Each CCC and CSU campus is now required to notify enrolled students about public programs and services that they may be eligible for—such as CalFresh, local housing resources, and local health services. The campuses must also provide links to additional information about these resources.

AB 943: Freeing existing CCC funds to provide emergency financial assistance

Community colleges can now use their Student Equity and Achievement Program funds to provide emergency financial assistance to students who are at risk of dropping out due to unexpected financial challenges. Financial assistance can include emergency grants, housing and food assistance, textbook grants, and transportation assistance.

AB 612: Increasing college student access to the CalFresh and the Restaurant Meals Program

The bill authorizes the Department of Social Services to enter into a statewide MOU with the CCC Chancellor’s Office to permit all 114 community colleges with eligible facilities to accept EBT cards (CalFresh) at their campus cafeterias and restaurants.

SB 687 & AB 58: Adding education representatives to the Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council

The Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council is responsible for identifying mainstream resources, benefits, and services that can be accessed to prevent and end homelessness in California and for serving as a statewide facilitator, coordinator, and policy development resource on ending homelessness in California.

Previously, none of the members represented education as it relates to children, youth, and adults experiencing homelessness. Under SB 687, the Governor must appoint an additional council member who represents the state public higher education system. Similarly, under AB 58 the Governor must appoint an additional council member from the State Department of Education.

AB 114: Providing funds to the CCC system to address student basic needs

Among many other things, this bill allocates $3,900,000 to the CCC system to address student hunger needs and student basic needs.

SB 77: Assessing the effectiveness of CalFresh in addressing student food insecurity

Among many other things, the California State Department of Social Services (in consultation with the UC, CSU, and CCC systems) will complete a one-time assessment of the effectiveness of CalFresh in addressing student food insecurity.

_______________________________________________

Youth Homelessness

AB 1235: Expanding the scope of runaway and homeless youth shelters

Runaway and homeless youth shelters are now called “youth homelessness prevention centers.” Previous law required these shelters to offer short-term care, supervision, and services to for no more than 21 consecutive days. That has now been expanded to 90 consecutive days. In addition, previous law required these shelters to serve homeless and runaway youth. Now the shelters are also required to provide services to “youth at risk of experiencing homelessness” and “youth exhibiting status offender behavior.”

Senate Concurrent Resolution 75: California Runaway and Homeless Youth Prevention Month

The Legislature designated the month of November 2019 as California Runaway and Homeless Youth Prevention Month.

_______________________________________________

Looking at the number of bills that have been proposed and that have become law, it is clear that California’s lawmakers are increasingly aware of and invested in addressing food and housing insecurity on our college campuses. These laws make progress on expanding students’ eligibility for services, increasing their awareness of available resources, and expanding the supply of campus-based resources. We celebrate all of these wins! At the same time, we recognize that much work still needs to be done to support the state’s sizable community of struggling students.

A New CHYP Report Explores Campus Resources for Struggling Students

1 in 5 California Community College students and 1 in 10 California State University undergraduates experienced homelessness at least once in the past year—and even more experienced food insecurity. How are college campuses helping students meet their basic needs?

The CHYP evaluated emergency food and housing resources at 82 of California’s public colleges and universities to see what’s being done well and what’s missing. We looked at campus websites, sent emails, and made phone calls to better understand which campuses offer resources like year-round student housing, emergency food and housing, emergency financial aid, and programs for students experiencing homelessness. The resulting report, Measuring Our Success: Campus Supports for College Students Experiencing Food & Housing Insecurity, highlights resource strengths, gaps, and best practices occurring on CCC, CSU, and UC campuses.

Here’s a preview of what we found:

・Nearly all of California’s public campuses distribute free groceries to students in need through food pantries, free farmers markets, and grocery bag giveaways.

・Thirteen public campuses close their student housing facilities for an average of 52 days each year without offering student residents an alternative place to stay.

・Nearly three-quarters of California’s public universities offer emergency housing.

・While 66% of California’s public universities have programs specifically for students experiencing housing insecurity, only an estimated 28% of community colleges have such programs.

・All of the UCs, 65% of CSUs, and an estimated 18% of the CCCs provide students experiencing food insecurity with free prepared meals.

Supporting the academic success of students from all economic backgrounds will require significant investment and collaboration. Check out the full report for recommendations on strategies and resources needed to support students from all economic backgrounds in achieving their college dreams.

What can you do to support college students experiencing homelessness today?

Farewell from our ‘18-’19 Visiting MSW Scholar!

As I wrap up my last year of grad school and my last week here at the CA Homeless Youth Project, I’m reflecting on all the things I’ll be able to take with me on my new journey to becoming a social worker in my community. What has this year taught me since first coming to CHYP?

I came to social work while doing in-home early intervention speech and language services for children who were not meeting their developmental goals in social and communication skills. As a paraprofessional, usually your scope of practice is pretty limited: do the targeted intervention, take notes and give your supervisor updates on client progress. But instead of going to houses and just working with the little ones on improving their language development, parents and caregivers were asking of me things I didn’t know how to help solve:

How can we access government assistance and basic resources for their children?

Why their child’s doctor wouldn’t give them a referral to an Audiologist when we were suspecting a hearing loss as the reason for impacted language development when they’d asked 4 times already?

How do families implement the homework I would leave for them when they are either dealing with trying to access assistance (which is basically a full-time job) or were working really long hours and their child would be asleep by the time they saw them?

How do families living in poverty and with children or other family members with great need manage coordinating so many different social service workers, case managers, medical professionals, therapists and/or tons of appointments at offices all across the city for their child when they don’t have a car or are moving from motel to motel each week because they can’t afford a downpayment on an apartment?

I was a trusted source in their home and they needed immediate help with overarching systems-- even more urgently than the direct speech and language service their I was providing their child. With better information and access navigating the complex, red tape nightmare they were lost in, it occurred to me, that their energies could then be freed up to focus on being more involved in the direct services their child was receiving. I began learning more about the community resources available to these families; however I was discouraged in doing so because it was considered outside my scope of practice. I finally realized I wanted to work in a profession that didn’t consider holistically helping people connect to the resources they needed to be outside my scope of practice. So I found social work!

Working in direct service is amazing- it’s an honor to be able to work with people in some of the most vulnerable times of their life. As a social worker, you see the true resilient nature of humanity and the long-term impacts on people who have experienced so much. You also begin to see similar struggles crop up over and over again and wonder, “Why is this still a problem for so many people? Who is doing something to make sure this stops being a problem? Why haven’t the experts and the people with actual power and resources solved this yet?” And so began my dance with POLICY! The stark realization that there must be people at all levels working to make conditions better for people that are the most directly affected and deeply impacted by the laws, policies, rules, and red tape of society. And that’s what led me to the CA Homeless Youth Project!

I knew I wanted to learn more about “macro” social work because these powerful SYSTEMS are where my mind goes when I see the same structural issues that seem so easy to fix if there was just someone who cared enough or, more importantly, there was someone directly impacted by the problem at the wheel… well, as you could guess, it’s not that simple. Or if it is, (and I’m still naive and optimistic that it actually is that simple,) then those with power aren’t looking as though they’ll be handing the keys over anytime soon.

I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to learn about the struggles specific to youth experiencing homeless: the prevalence of homelessness, the continuums of care, federal funding, grants for community programs, symantec obstructions to effective collaboration, (e.g. differing definitions of “homelessness” and “youth”), seeing so many organizations doing creative and transformational work to lift the voices of those in the struggle to steer the conversations around defining the real problems and the real solutions they want to see. And CHYP is one the organizations that makes sure to always include policy recommendations straight from youth who are currently or formerly experiencing homelessness. It’s the only meaningful way forward because, as the values of social work teach us, the only real experts on what people are going through are the people going through it themselves.

*Almost time for this ^^^

My experience at CHYP has only solidified my optimism that striving for change to behemoth social issues like youth homelessness will truly only come when those under the boot of oppression are not only given a seat or a microphone to share their experiences in the hope that their oppressors will see their humanity, but that they will be the ones to take the table apart and rebuild it over and over again until oppression has no seat at the table anymore. I’ll take all of my experiences here at CHYP with me wherever I end up, and while I may not know much about what everyone has gone through, I know the first step is to listen to their story with an open mind and heart. Thanks for letting me be a part of CHYP and for all you’ve taught me Shahera, Nancy, and all at the CA Research Bureau and CA State Library for your generosity.

CA Youth Empowerment Summit 2019

CHYP director Shahera Hyatt had the honor of being invited to speak at this year’s California Youth Empowerment Summit on College Student Homelessness along with Alexis Piazza, legal fellow at the ACLU Foundation of Southern CA. The summit, a two day event hosted by the California Coalition for Youth, provides an opportunity for formerly foster, runaway, and homeless transition-age youth to “learn to become change leaders in their communities and youth leaders on youth issues.”

This year’s summit included workshops on combating domestic violence in our communities, issues in coordinated entry systems, how to leverage data for whatever cause you’re fighting for, holistic healing and many more! Youth were able to network, build new skills and meet with state legislators to discuss changes at the policy level. While youth with lived experience are always the focus at each summit, the YES event also invites outreach workers, youth service providers, and administrative level staff to attend to learn some new ideas and youth perspectives.

At the end of the Supporting College Students Experiencing Homelessness workshop, Shahera and Alexis invited the audience (of which youth with lived experience made up about a third) to give their ideas on how to reduce student homelessness. The vast majority of responses were geared towards building more housing and increasing housing affordability:

“Community colleges need to build dorms and apartments for students.”

“There should be programs that connect colleges to landlord associations and also grant programs that provide subsidies as a part of FAFSA.”

Some connected homelessness to mental health:

“Make dorms cheaper and put more on campus or open a homeless shelter so that the homeless kids and adults have a place to stay they won’t have bad thoughts about not being able to have a place to stay at or food to eat- then they would be a lot happier if they had a place to stay.”

“See what the kids are struggling with and teach the teachers to see the signs of homelessness.”

Other ideas mentioned:

“There should be a Homeless Student Union on campus consisting of individuals coming together to build each other up. If they are an official club on campus, they’ll be able to advocate for funding and have their voice be heard!”

“More legal advocacy!”

“For unaccompanied and homeless youth who are or never been in foster care- more info on how to to overcome tax and independency status to get FAFSA.”

“Go to school board meeting and advocate/petition schools for increased services for students who are homeless. Eventually reach legislation.”

Thanks so much for those who participated and shared your amazing ideas with us. You are all the future of ending youth homelessness and the most meaningful change always comes when those with lived experience are at the front of the movement. We’ll see you at YES 2020!

#youth homelessness #youth empowerment #endyouthhomelessness

Bills, Bills, Bills...

This updated list of legislative bills that involve youth or young adults experiencing homelessness is a follow-up to our previous blog post “Current CA Legislation on Youth Homelessness.”

It is promising to see the amount of bills coming up that are either directly or peripherally acknowledging student homelessness as an issue that needs state and local policy solutions. We hope California will be a leader in reducing youth and student homelessness, and we will continue to do our part in informing our lawmakers on important issues with the voices of youth at the forefront of our policy recommendations.

Student Homelessness

AB 190: Budget Act of 2019. (Asm. Ting)

Has several provisions for students experiencing homelessness under the education portion.

AB 396: School employees: School Social Worker Pilot Program. (Asm. Eggman)

Creates a pilot program at one school district, placing Social Workers at every school in the district and tracking:

1) changes in pupil outcomes including chronic absenteeism

2) changes in rates of suspension and expulsion

AB 943: Community colleges: Student Equity and Achievement Program funds. (Asm. Chiu)

Emergency financial assistance to eligible students to overcome unforeseen financial challenges that would directly impact a student’s ability to persist in the student’s course of study.

AB 1229: End Foster Youth Student Hunger in California Act of 2019. (Asm. Wicks)

Establishes the Transition Age Foster Youth Meal Plan Program, where eligible transition-age foster youth studying for a higher education degree at a public post-secondary educational institution would receive an award equal to the amount of the cost of a meal plan that would cover 10 meals per week and the cost of all campus fees.

SB 728: Student Financial Aid: Housing and Hunger Hardship. (Sen. Galgiani)

Establishes a program under which students attending a public post-secondary educational institution who are experiencing housing or food hardship could apply for emergency assistance.

Homelessness- General

SB 12: Mental Health Services: Youth. (Sens. Beall & Portantino)

Requires the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission to administer funding for an Integrated Youth Mental Health Program for youth ages 12-25 with an emphasis on reaching vulnerable populations with mental health needs including homeless, LGBTQ+ and indigenous youth.

SB 573: Homeless Emergency Aid Program (Sen. Chang)

Would grant one-time flexible block grant funds to administrative entities and counties to address immediate homelessness challenges in their areas; to fund programs and provide other assistance that prioritize veterans and homeless youth.

AB 22: Housing: Safe and Clean Shelter for Children. (Asm. Burke)

Declares that it is the policy of the state that: Every child has the right to safe and clean shelter and that no child should be without safe and clean shelter by 2025.

Requires all agencies and departments that address housing, community development, and businesses to consider this policy in everything they do.

AB 861: Amend the Welfare and Institutions Code, Relating to Juveniles. (Asm. Chen)

This bill speeds up the process of a social worker to petition for court dependence for a child when they are homeless or have previously been a dependent of the court or received child welfare services from 3 weeks to 5 days.

AB 1422: Hate Crimes: Homeless Status. (Asms. Gibson & Chu)

A “hate crime” is defined as enhanced sentencing for a crime committed against someone because of an actual or perceived characteristic of disability, gender, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation.

This bill would add “homelessness” to the list of characteristics.

AB 1640: Local Government Finance: Budget Services. (Asm. Horvath)

To hold accountable cities and counties who have high levels of budget reserves while their human services, homelessness, housing crisis and other important health and safety concerns go unaddressed, this bill would require those local governments to submit reports to the State Controller’s office on how they plan to spend their reserves for the next 5 years on:

mental and behavioral healthcare

affordable housing

homelessness

foster youth programs

LGBTQ+ centers

veteran services

special needs youth and adult services

in-home supportive services

AB 1702: Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council. (Asm. Rivas.)

Requires the Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council’s staff to increase by an additional 6 positions.

Also requires the council to report their recommendations (for statutory changes that will streamline service delivery and the effectiveness of homeless services) to the legislature by 2021.

Rosalinda Gallegos: UC Santa Cruz College Homeless Liaison Superstar

In Part III of CHYP’s series on college liaisons who work with students experiencing homelessness, we highlight best practices in the field and learn from one another. For this homeless liaison profile, we feature Rosalinda Gallegos, Dean of Students Coordinator at UC Santa Cruz. Throughout her time working in higher education, Gallegos has managed campus-wide CalFresh initiatives that have provided over 3200 lbs. of food directly to students. In addition, she has focused on de-stigmatizing CalFresh as well as advancing basic needs in higher education both locally and nationally.

When UC Santa Cruz became involved in the UC Global Food Initiative, it was apparent that the issue of student basic needs needed to be advanced through the Dean of Students Office. Gallegos promotes a holistic, student-facing approach to ending student hunger and addressing other student needs on her campus by developing and improving strategies to get students connected to resources. For example, the Slug Support Program, began as an early intervention effort with referral and peer counseling to students at risk for a crisis. According the program’s website: “The goal of the Slug Support Program is to identify students of concern and develop an action plan focusing on retention through provision of support and resources.” Students will self-refer or be referred by other departments when dealing with issues related to, “...social, mental health, physical, financial, academic and/or a combination of these issues,” and be connected with a Slug Support Manager who assesses the students’ needs and works with them to develop a plan to ensure academic success and completion by way of referrals to emergency housing, food security, funds for medical bills or counseling co-pays, and funds for unexpected costs like car repairs or school materials.

The Slug Support program was a creative solution to the growing population of the campus and with it, the growing need for basic needs and supportive services. With peers as ambassadors, this not only helps the program have more of an ability to reach students in need; it also helps those experiencing food or housing insecurity feel more comfortable and familiar when sharing their challenges. The ambassadors assist in conducting crisis assessments for their peers and are trained in mental health, first aid, and suicide prevention. The Slug Support program also provides short-term emergency housing by setting students up in a nearby motel for up to 5 nights at no cost to them or by providing living space on-campus until another, longer-term housing solution is found. Lastly, the program helps students connect with local community resources like child-care services and food pantries as well as in-house student services so that students can get the most out of their college experience in a supportive environment. This includes assistance with financial aid, academic advising, services for students with disabilities, and direct referrals for any other department on campus—all which ease the burden of navigating both academic demands and instability.

To recruit students into the Slug Support program, the Dean of Students Office partners with the Admissions Office to send out mass emails that provide information on CalFresh, homelessness, and supportive services provided by their office. The Dean of Students Office also launched a student participatory research initiative that helps to identify students at-risk of food or housing insecurity. The Slug Support program is available for students who self-refer or who are referred by staff, faculty, or student ambassadors. Faculty can also help spread the word by including an informational slide about Slug Support on their class orientation slides.

Gallegos suggests these recommendations for other liaisons who want to start or improve the services offered to their students:

-- Identify your campus needs

-- Partner with on- and off-campus partners

-- Start and support a food recovery program on your campus

-- Know your campus budget

-- Find support

We thank Rosalinda Gallegos for offering these amazingly creative insights and for her dedication to advocating for students experiencing housing and food insecurity. We wish her and her Slug Support program all the best!

If you’d like to receive our monthly newsletter that gives you updates on research, policy initiatives or collaborations we are engaging in along with new resources available in the field, you can sign up here.

#basic needs #student homelessness #endyouthhomelessness

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