by PSU Homelessness Research & Action Collaborative
September, 2020
PSU HOUSING AND FOOD INSECURITY REPORT
Homelessness Research & Action Collaborative conducted Portland State University's first survey of students and employees on the scope of homelessness, housing insecurity and food insecurity on campus. The center also conducted a follow-up survey on the impact of COVID-19. The findings will be the first step toward a comprehensive plan that addresses students' basic needs.
The survey was administered in the fall of 2019, and all students and employees enrolled or employed at PSU were invited to participate. A total of 3,511 students (15% of all students) and 1,017 employees (28% of all employees) participated in the survey, and findings revealed the following:
PSU STUDENTS
- 44.6% experienced housing insecurity in the 12 months prior to completing the survey
- 16.1% experienced homelessness in the 12 months prior to completing the survey
- 47% experienced food insecurity in the 30 days prior to completing the survey
- Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) students experienced high rates of basic needs insecurity. In particular, Native American students were almost twice as likely as White students to experience homelessness. They also had the highest rates of food insecurity (66.4%).