Homeless on Planet College

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s definition of homeless includes a person who has no place to go, no resources to obtain housing. The U.S. Department of Education's definition includes children and youths “who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason”

What might these definitions mean to an average college student?

Students are often nomads. With transitions occurring regularly on Planet College, breaks, summer, moving off campus etc, students commonly lead a wandering life. At times economic necessity means “non-traditional” housing i.e. sleeping in your car, showering in the gym, eating off of someone else’s meal plan, well you probably know the drill by now. This is part of one student’s experience.

When I was homeless in college I sometimes lived in vehicles on campus parking lots or in buildings on campus. A couple of times students called campus security because “some homeless person” was sleeping in the dorm lounge. Security was cool and just told me to move along. I usually showered in the gym and I often ate at campus events. I kept clothing and other stuff in a box on a friends porch. I saved a few bucks here and there during these times. I learned a lot and now I’m putting my experience as well my degree to use as an advocate for the homeless.

This student seems to have put his experience to use for his career. Be advised: Living like this for more than a very short time can me stressful and sometimes disorienting. If you find you are among the housing challenged for more than a few days take stock. Possibly you can trade work for more permanent shelter. Also find someone you can talk with about your current situation. Students are often resourceful and resilient but the sense of isolation that even brief homelessness can bring can be very discouraging.