Hungry and Homeless 101: Community college students struggle to survive as they learn

For many young people, college is a time to learn, dream and prepare for a successful future. But that’s not so easy for the thousands of Los Angeles Community College students who report being hungry or homeless as they try to get an education. The Los Angeles Community College District recently conducted an unprecedented survey of nearly 6,000 students and came up with some disturbing findings, with 62.7% of students going hungry, 55% experiencing housing insecurity and 18.6% experiencing homelessness. As Measure H funding expands services to the homeless, young people are one of the key groups being targeted for help.

>> Don't know what to say.

Like, I guess, struggling is really hard
for a lot of people, and Myriah's going

through what she's going through.

I'm going through it myself.

I have an 11-year-old son.

It's hard, you know, but you
just got to keep on going.

You don't give up.

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>> The numbers are higher
than we thought they'd be.

We have more students that go
to bed hungry and more students

that aren't sure where they're going to sleep.

And it's critical for the success
in college or in high school

that you have a good meal
and a roof over your head.

>> After all, this is Los Angeles, the
highest concentration of wealth in many parts

of the nation right here in Los Angeles County.

We now have a proven plan with resources
dedicated to fighting homelessness,

and that's thanks to Measure H.
And, yes, that includes students.

And so the Board of Supervisors just
committed $1 billion of Measure H funds

over the next three years that will
specifically address homelessness.

>> I just want, like, you know,
you guys to know that it's hard.

And, you know, there's days you're going
to want to stop, but just keep going.

Just -- you know, I'm still going, and
I'm here to let you guys know that.