LOS ALTOS HILLS (FEB 5, 2020) - Foothill College students who are experiencing housing-insecurity may find some relief in two new partnerships the college has formed with local community service organizations.

 

Foothill has begun collaborations with the Bill Wilson Center and Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County to find housing opportunities for students. The college has also entered the countywide 100-Day Challenge to house at least 100 students in 100 days.

 

"The high cost of living in the Bay Area is a real barrier to college students successfully completing their studies," said April Henderson, Foothill College's Director of Extended Opportunities Programs & Services (EOPS) and the college's Foster Youth and Homeless Student Programs (FYHS). "These partnerships are just one way for us to serve students facing housing insecurity and get them the services that they need."

 

According to a #RealCollege survey report prepared by the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice at Temple University, of the 789 Foothill College student responses, 49 percent experienced housing insecurity and 19 percent experienced homelessness in the past year. Housing insecurity includes an inability to pay rent and the need to move frequently. Homeless students stay temporarily with relatives or friends, live in transitional housing or treatment centers, or stay outdoors and in cars.

 

The college held a Summit on Student Homelessness last spring to address these concerns and introduced its programming goals to campus stakeholders during a launch presentation on Student Homelessness in fall 2019.

 

These recent partnerships also offer an opportunity for the community to participate in the house-sharing program. Santa Clara County residents who have an available room may apply to host a student in their home through Catholic Charities. The college will hold an information session for interested community members Wednesday, Feb. 19. Both organizations will be available to students during scheduled on-campus office visits.

 

Students who need housing services from the Bill Wilson Center and Catholic Charities are encouraged to contact April Henderson at AboutHousing@fhda.edu. Students can also self-refer to Bill Wilson Center by filling out a short form online. Community members who would like to participate in the house-sharing program can contact Catholic Charities directly at 408.325.5134.

 

Foothill College also offers additional services to address basic needs for enrolled students, including a food pantry, health services, and personal counseling.

 

For more information on House Sharing with Catholic Charities, visit their website.