Students’ Basic Needs

What are the current basic needs of California community college students? 

In spring 2025, The RP Group, in partnership with the Community College League of California’s CEO Affordability, Food & Housing Access Taskforce, assessed trends in food insecurity, housing insecurity, and homelessness among California community college students.

Based on a survey of nearly 77,000 students across 102 colleges, two-thirds of students face at least one form of basic needs insecurity, with 46% reporting food insecurity, 58% reporting housing insecurity, and 20% reporting experiencing homelessness. 

A new report, Real College California: Basic Needs Among California Community College Students in 2025, offers a vital look at the ongoing challenges of food insecurity, housing insecurity, and homelessness and provides crucial insights for building a more equitable and supportive education system