Stable Housing for Successful Undergraduates
Mentor 1
Rose Hennessy Garza
Start Date
28-4-2023 12:00 AM
Description
The prevalence of housing insecurity is higher among undergraduate college students than the general population. Housing insecurity is defined as the inability to pay rent, mortgage, utilities, not having reliable safe housing, and having to move frequently. Much of this stems from the growing housing crisis with increased unaffordability of housing, housing shortage and demand. In order to address housing insecurity among undergraduate students at UWM and its health outcomes, a hypothetical public health program was developed. To address this issue, a modified version of intervention mapping and informal literature review was used to develop a hypothetical program. The theory of social capital, the personal and institutional networks and relationships that provide access to resources, informed the program development through assigning undergraduates with a financial and housing coach to set them up for success. The goal of this program is to empower undergraduate students with the skills and resources to maintain housing security. A logic model was developed, evidence-based strategies were examined, and social capital theory was applied to understand student awareness of housing resources and programs as a result of their connections. The hypothetical program would include a survey of students to gauge the current attitudes, knowledge, and awareness about affordable housing and available resources. Public health programs based in evidence and theory are essential to mitigating existing disparities. Stakeholder and community engagement in program planning is critical in developing programs that address community needs. Future public health programming should consider how expanding housing first policies increase housing availability and reduce chronic health issues such as high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, immune suppression, and autoimmune disease that arise from housing instability.
Stable Housing for Successful Undergraduates
The prevalence of housing insecurity is higher among undergraduate college students than the general population. Housing insecurity is defined as the inability to pay rent, mortgage, utilities, not having reliable safe housing, and having to move frequently. Much of this stems from the growing housing crisis with increased unaffordability of housing, housing shortage and demand. In order to address housing insecurity among undergraduate students at UWM and its health outcomes, a hypothetical public health program was developed. To address this issue, a modified version of intervention mapping and informal literature review was used to develop a hypothetical program. The theory of social capital, the personal and institutional networks and relationships that provide access to resources, informed the program development through assigning undergraduates with a financial and housing coach to set them up for success. The goal of this program is to empower undergraduate students with the skills and resources to maintain housing security. A logic model was developed, evidence-based strategies were examined, and social capital theory was applied to understand student awareness of housing resources and programs as a result of their connections. The hypothetical program would include a survey of students to gauge the current attitudes, knowledge, and awareness about affordable housing and available resources. Public health programs based in evidence and theory are essential to mitigating existing disparities. Stakeholder and community engagement in program planning is critical in developing programs that address community needs. Future public health programming should consider how expanding housing first policies increase housing availability and reduce chronic health issues such as high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, immune suppression, and autoimmune disease that arise from housing instability.
