Grant provides support to students facing housing insecurity

During the 2019-2020 academic year, YVC, along with five other colleges in the state of Washington, were selected to participate in The Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness (SSEH) Pilot Program. The program supports students who are homeless or were in foster care by providing short-term housing or housing assistance; laundry facilities, storage and showers; food cards; technology; and case-management services.

During the first year, YVC served 44 students, which represents nearly half of the students served state-wide by the pilot program. In January, hoping to help the state expand the SSEH pilot, YVC Faculty Counselor Esther Huizar provided written testimony in support of House Bill 1166.

“At YVC, I have witnessed first-hand the positive impact the SSEH grant has had on students,” Huizar noted in her testimony. “An expansion of the SSEH grant would help additional Washington State post-secondary institutions address growing concerns about food and housing insecurity.”

As of January 2021, YVC was serving 24 students through the program with approximately $50,000 in funding available to provide additional support during the remainder of the 2020-2021 academic year.