UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Student Affairs is releasing results of the Food and Housing Needs Survey conducted in fall 2022 across the entire student population. Results show that more than 14% of students (across all campuses) indicated that within the last 30 days they did not eat for an entire day due to being unable to afford food. Students taking the survey also said they needed to work more hours weekly to be able to pay for basic needs.
The survey, conducted to learn more about students’ experiences with food and housing insecurity across each of Penn State’s campuses, including World Campus, is a follow-up to the initial Food and Housing Needs Survey was launched in fall 2021 to assess food and housing needs at University Park. To expand on the initial results, this additional survey was administered to students at all campuses last fall.
“Food and housing insecurity is an increasing challenge for many college students both nationally and at Penn State. The health and well-being of students is our priority, and the University has continued to make important strides in advancing efforts to address this critical challenge,” said Justin Schwartz, executive vice president and provost. “I appreciate all the students who took the survey, whether or not they have experienced this issue, as the results will help us to continue to offer resources and support to help students thrive in and outside of the classroom.”
In total, 17,231 students (84.8% undergraduate, 15.2% graduate) responded to the survey for a 19.5% response rate. Results have been shared with University leaders, directors of Student Affairs at the campuses, and the Basic Needs Collaborative Council to highlight the need for continued support regarding food and housing security for all students. Basic needs insecurity not only impacts the health and well-being of students, but also their progress toward a degree.
As part of ongoing University efforts to expand resources and support for students facing food and housing insecurity, the most recent survey created a pathway for direct and confidential outreach to students. Case managers within Student Care and Advocacy reached out to more than 7,000 students whose survey results indicated an immediate need, so that resources and support could be provided.
The survey included questions around food and housing security, affordability and accessibility of food and housing, current employment, current financial resources or support, the impact of food or housing insecurity on academic responsibilities, and overall health and well-being.
Data continues to be analyzed and shared with University partners, with plans to share a summary report later this fall.
Findings from the survey included:
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The fall 2022 survey confirmed that a need exists among some students on the University Park campus, with 14.6% of respondents indicating that they identify “moderately well” to “extremely well” with the statement that they have “trouble securing enough food each day” and 13.2% indicating they have trouble securing adequate housing. At the campuses, including World Campus, 18.4% of respondents indicated food security concerns and 14.5% indicated adequate housing concerns, reflecting national trends.
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More than 14% of students who responded from across all campuses indicated that within the last 30 days they did not eat for an entire day due to being unable to afford food.
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Students have indicated a need to work more hours weekly to be able to afford basic needs. More than 68% of University Park students who responded are working more than 11 hours a week to support themselves; at the campuses, 75.3% of students responded similarly.
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Results indicate that some students are selling possessions, skipping a bill payment, and avoiding medical care to buy food. Across all campuses, 5.8% of responding students report selling possessions, 6.5% needed to skip a bill payment, and 6.2% avoided medical care.
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Results show heightened impact among respondents who self-identified as members of an underrepresented minority group, international students, students who have disabilities, or students who self-identified as sexually diverse or gender diverse, in line with national trends.
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Among respondents across all campuses, U.S. students who self-identified as African American or Black; Hispanic or Latinx; Native American or Alaskan Native; Middle Eastern, North African, Arab or Arab American; Southeast Asian, Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian; other Asian or Asian American; or other (20.1%) and international students (32.3%) responded that they have trouble securing food each day at a higher rate than U.S. students who self-identified as white (10.6%).
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Sexually diverse students (students who self-identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, queer, questioning, or didn’t respond when asked about sexual orientation) indicated in the survey that they could not afford to eat a balanced meal at a higher rate (41.9%) than heterosexual students (29.3%).
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Sexually diverse students were more than twice as likely to leave their household because they felt unsafe (4.8%) compared to heterosexual students (2.2%), according to those surveyed.
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Some of the difficult housing situations students faced included living with others beyond the capacity of the house or apartment (5.3%) or having to move often (three or more times in the last 30 days) (6.5%). Respondents also reported facing legal consequences from their housing situations, such as defaulting on an account (4.2%) or having to appear in housing court (2.7%).
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Among students who completed the survey, 13.5% reported that housing or food concerns impacted their ability to focus on their academic responsibilities “a lot” and 26.3% reported that they lost weight due to food insecurity.
"The results of this survey underscore the urgency of the issue for students across the commonwealth and across identities,” said Andrea Dowhower, interim vice president for Student Affairs. “Our ability to support students in need is enhanced by both the personal outreach and the survey data. The web of services from the case management within Student Care and Advocacy to the Lion's Pantry and many other sources provide a foundation for us to continue our efforts to ensure that students are supported and able to flourish without worrying about basic needs.”
National impacts of food and housing insecurity
Food and housing insecurity can look different for everyone, including students. A 2021 report from the Hope Center summarizes the responses from a fall 2020 survey on student basic-needs security. Drawn from the responses of more than 195,000 students attending 202 colleges and universities nationwide, the report showed college students are increasingly experiencing food and housing insecurity, which can have a range of academic, social, emotional and health-related consequences.
The report shows nearly 3 in 5 students at participating college and universities faced basic needs insecurity, with food insecurity impacting 29% of respondents at four-year institutions and housing insecurity impacting 48% of respondents.
Collaborating together to support students
Penn State is continuing to advance new and existing initiatives to support students in need. Student Care and Advocacy, a unit in the division of Student Affairs, supported more than 700 students in need of basic assistance at University Park in the past year. More than 1,300 students at campuses were provided support by a case manager.
One Big Week, an annual fundraising event held earlier this month to raise support for the University, featured both the Lion’s Pantry and Student Care and Advocacy as key initiatives. The Penn State community raised more than $100,000 to support these efforts across the commonwealth.
Students United Against Poverty, a student organization affiliated with Student Care and Advocacy, is combating poverty and student hardship while advocating for change through research, volunteerism and project execution.
Students at every campus have the option to donate to Penn State students in need when they pay for a meal at any residential dining facility or via a mobile order during Swipe Out Hunger drives.
Other University efforts that are ongoing are support and renovations of food pantries, expansion of SNAP benefits on campuses, the establishment of the LiveOn Student Success Grant program, the use of the Student Emergency Fund, and an expanded focus on students utilizing existing programs like federal work study.
If you are facing food or housing insecurity
Resources are available for any student who may be facing challenges with food or housing security. All Penn State Commonwealth Campuses have food pantries or community resources available. Student Affairs has staff who can assist students in determining eligibility for public assistance and navigating the application processes for these programs.
Students at any campus can complete the Basic Needs Request form to connect with a case manager for guidance and help.