Housing and Food Insecurity on College Campuses

 ABSTRACT

    This study investigates the housing and food insecurities faced by college students, particularly at Utah Valley University, aiming to identify the extent of these issues, understand their impact on academic performance and overall well-being, and explore potential solutions. By examining the availability and affordability of housing and food resources, the research provides actionable insights for university administrators, policymakers, and community organizations. The findings highlight significant insecurities not only in Utah but across the country, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted interventions. Comparative analysis of existing studies offers valuable insights into effective data collection methods and reveals consistent findings across different locations, underscoring the widespread nature of these challenges.

RESEARCH TOPIC

    I am studying and doing a deep dive into three major studies that have been done on housing and food insecurity on college campuses. One study is conducted in Upstate New York, and the other two in Utah. All three studies provide me with a lot of data that I can analyze and compare. I am looking at Utah Valley University (UVU) in particular as I work here as a full-time staff member and am also part of the student population. I added the study from New York, as I wanted to see if the food and housing insecurity among students was similar in a vastly different location. I also find news articles highlighting the food and housing insecurity faced by college students in Utah, and compare the information in those articles with the data in the studies. UVU has several programs to help students who are experiencing insecurities related to food and housing, and I want to see the extent of what is offered on campus to those students. The research questions I have in mind while analyzing the data are: How prevalent is housing and food insecurity among UVU students? What are the current resources available to UVU students? How affordable are these resources for UVU students? How often are these resources utilized by UVU students?

LITERATURE REVIEW

Healthy Minds Study - UVU

    Utah Valley University is conducting the Healthy Minds Study in the Fall of 2020, providing detailed statistics on mental health and related issues among college students. Among all the data, I find that food insecurity and housing insecurity are prevalent here at UVU. 30% of students report experiencing food insecurity, meaning they have limited or uncertain access to adequate food. The national average is approximately 23% for undergraduate students and 12% for graduate students. 20% of students report experiencing housing insecurity, which includes difficulty in paying rent or utilities, or having to move frequently. The national average is about 48% of students experiencing some form of housing insecurity. These statistics highlight a significant challenge many students face in meeting their basic needs here at UVU. The study includes 1,400 randomly selected participants. Key demographics used are age, gender, race/ethnicity, academic level, and socioeconomic level, ensuring a very diverse group of participants.

Utahns Against Hunger

    This report highlights that a significant portion of college students in Utah experience food insecurity, which affects their academic performance, higher dropout rates, increased stress and mental health issues, and overall well-being. It includes demographic data that shows that food insecurity mainly affects those from low-income backgrounds, first-generation students, and students of color. The report also highlights several barriers that contribute to food insecurity, including the high cost of tuition, housing, and other living expenses, as well as limited access to affordable and nutritious food options. The report offers several recommendations to address food insecurity, such as increasing awareness of available resources, improving access to food assistance programs, and implementing campus-based solutions like food pantries and meal-sharing programs.

Role of Financial Strain - New York

    This study aims to examine how financial strain affects college students’ work hours, sleep quality, and mental health. It highlights the significant role of student employment hours in predicting mental well-being, especially for those under financial strain. It also emphasizes the need for interventions to address sleep and mental health issues among financially stressed students.

KUER article

    I found a newspaper article written and published in December 2024 that discusses the increased use of food pantries by students at Utah universities. Utah State College, the University of Utah, and Utah Valley University all report a rise in students accessing these resources. Food insecurity is growing among students, with more than 60% of students at Utah State’s Logan campus experiencing low or very low food security. Inflation and the lingering effects of the pandemic contribute to this trend across Utah and other college campuses. Food pantries provide some relief by helping students avoid hunger and manage stress while attending class and dealing with other day-to-day worries.

KSL article

    I found another news article from December 2024 that discusses the growing need for food pantries on college campuses in Utah due to inflation. This article mentions that 30% of students are struggling to afford tuition, housing, and food. Community Action Service and the Food Bank partner with Utah Valley University to provide fresh produce and other food items for students, as they recognize the critical role these items play in students' overall well-being.

DISCUSSION

    Utah Valley University has several initiatives to address food and housing insecurity among its students. There is a food pantry located on campus that students can utilize once a week if they are enrolled in at least 3 credits. There is also a Grit Garden on campus where students can volunteer their time to learn about fresh vegetables and how to grow them at home. Every Friday, the vegetables harvested from the garden are given out for free to anyone on campus who needs them, along with other fresh food donated by Community Action Services. Students experiencing food insecurity can apply for SNAP, supplemental food assistance, to receive government help to afford nutritious and essential food. UVU CARE has employees who are trained to help students find more resources in the community if the ones available on campus are not enough. They are also experts in housing insecurity and have many resources available to guide students. The university has an emergency scholarship fund to help students facing unexpected financial hardships, including food and housing needs. UVU takes many steps to support students’ basic needs, ensuring they can focus on their education without the added stress of food and housing insecurity. In 2022, the CARE hub pantry served over 1,000 students and distributed more than 25,000 pounds of food, making a 13% increase from the previous year. They also received the NASPA Region V Innovative Program Award for outstanding support to students in 2023.

LIMITATIONS and FUTURE STUDY

    Most studies on food and housing insecurity rely on self-reporting, which can lead to flawed and incomplete data. Not having enough food or money for rent is a sensitive issue that many are reluctant to share. The sample size of the study at UVU is only 1,400 students, which is quite small given the current student population. Additionally, the studies I reviewed captured data at a single point in time, so they do not account for changes over time or the long-term impacts of food and housing insecurities.

CONCLUSION

    While UVU has made significant strides in providing resources for students on campus, many are unaware that these resources exist. Working in the Fulton Library, I frequently hear from students about their needs for food, mental health access, and other issues. I inform them about the various resources available on campus, and many are surprised to learn that UVU offers free food, cooking classes, a garden, and free counseling services. Despite these efforts, many resources at UVU remain underutilized. The administration needs to find ways to inform the student population that it is okay to use these resources, there is no stigma attached, and to spread the word about their availability.

REFERENCES:

Cragun, A. (2023). College food insecurity issue brief. Utahns Against Hunger. https://www.uah.org/reports-and-publications/college-food-insecurity-issue-brief

Eisenberg, D., Lipson, S. K., Heinze, J., Zhou, S., Talaski, A., & Patterson, A. (2020). Healthy Minds Study Fall 2020 Data Report. Utah Valley University. Retrieved from https://www.uvu.edu/studentcare/docs/healthy-minds-results-fall-2020.pdf

Johnson, B. (2024, December 27). College food pantries become a necessity after inflation. KSL NewsRadio. Retrieved April 14, 2025, from https://kslnewsradio.com/colleges-universities/utah-college-food-pantries/2167251/

Lipkin, M. (2024, December 24). Utah universities see more students making use of the campus food pantry. KUER. Retrieved April 14, 2025, from https://www.kuer.org/education/2024-12-24/utah-universities-see-more-students-making-use-of-the-campus-food-pantry

Olfert, M. D., Hagedorn-Hatfield, R. L., Houghtaling, B., Esquivel, M. K., Hood, L. B., MacNell, L., Soldavini, J., Berner, M., Savoie Roskos, M. R., Hingle, M. D., Mann, G. R., Waity, J. F., Knol, L. L., Walsh, J., Kern-Lyons, V., Paul, C., Pearson, K., Goetz, J. R., Spence, M., Anderson-Steeves, E., Wall-Bassett, E. D., Lillis, J. P., Kelly, E. B., Hege, A., Fontenot, M. C., & Coleman, P. (2021). Struggling with the basics: food and housing insecurity among college students across twenty-two colleges and universities. Journal of American College Health, 71(8), 2518-2529. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2021.1978456

Salt Lake Chamber. (2023, December 4). UVU’s CARE Hub food access program receives seven-state regional student affairs award. Salt Lake Chamber. Retrieved from https://slchamber.com/uvu-care-hub-receives-award/

Utah Valley University. (n.d.). Student care. Retrieved April 14, 2025, from https://www.uvu.edu/studentcare/

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