When St. Louis resident Bobbie Simmons enrolled at St. Louis Community College (STLCC) to study medical coding, it seemed like she was finally on the path to a rewarding career in a high-demand field. Then a serious health issue set her back, threatening her ability to maintain a dependable source of income for rent. “It was hard focusing on my schoolwork when I didn’t know if I’d have a roof over my head,” said Simmons. Her story is not unique; many students at STLCC face similar challenges.

Thanks to a new STLCC program, students like Simmons, who face housing insecurity, now have a resource to assist with rent payments. The City of St. Louis Support of College Students Experiencing Housing Insecurity Program is designed to help prevent students from becoming unhoused, keep them on track toward their educational goals, and improve their opportunities for economic independence.

STLCC is Missouri's largest community college system, with over 14,000 students across four main campuses and multiple education centers. Since its establishment in 1962, STLCC has served more than 1.3 million students. Nearly 50 percent of the diverse and multicultural student body currently comprises people of color (St. Louis Community College, 2024).

Nationwide, housing insecurity affects almost half of all students pursuing a college degree, with 14 percent reporting they were unhoused at some point in the previous year (The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs, 2024). According to the public policy think tank New America, “students facing housing insecurity have higher rates of anxiety and depression, worse health outcomes, and lower GPAs than their housing-secure peers” (Geary, 2022, para. 4).

Local conditions in St. Louis compound the challenges of housing insecurity. The city had a poverty rate of 20.2 percent in 2022, which was substantially higher than the national average of 12.6 percent at the time (City of St. Louis, 2023). The National Low Income Housing Coalition (2024) found that in Missouri, the average renter needs to earn $17.57 per hour—a figure far above the $10.30 minimum wage in the state—to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment.

Furthermore, housing instability often intersects with other systemic issues, such as violence and economic inequality. St. Louis has one of the highest violent crime rates among U.S. cities (U.S. News & World Report, n.d.). Studies have shown that housing insecurity exacerbates vulnerability to violence and exploitation, particularly among low-income populations (Network for Public Health Law, 2021). Addressing housing insecurity, therefore, not only improves educational outcomes but also contributes to broader community safety and well-being.

STLCC received an allocation of approximately $500,000 to support students who meet specific eligibility criteria, including being a resident of the City of St. Louis, needing 30 credit hours or less to complete their degree, and facing some form of housing insecurity. This could include being at risk of eviction, living in unsafe or unstable housing, or experiencing homelessness. The college identified 112 students enrolled at STLCC in fall 2024 who could meet the criteria. Staff from the college’s Student Advocacy and Resource Center (SARC) contacted the students to conduct a screening process. Simmons was one of those students.

“It’s a great program and has helped me to keep my place,” noted Simmons. “I’ve never needed anyone’s help like this before. But due to health issues, I worked with the college to assist with rent payments.”

The total funding includes a $1 million contribution from the City of St. Louis to STLCC and three other higher education institutions in the St. Louis region. STLCC's allocation of $500,000 specifically aids students residing in the city, covering housing costs for those in their final semesters and offering emergency housing assistance as needed. It focuses mainly on students in communities facing persistent economic barriers. The program complements existing emergency assistance programs, ensuring a holistic approach to student support. The landlords of approved applicants receive rental assistance payments directly on behalf of eligible students.

"We are committed to supporting initiatives that provide stability and security for our residents, especially our students,” stated Wilford Pinkney, Director of the City of St. Louis’s Office of Violence Prevention. He continued,

Education is one of the most powerful tools we have for transforming lives and building a stronger, safer city. However, for too many students, housing insecurity is a persistent barrier that disrupts their education, their focus, and their mental and physical health. By addressing this, we are not only helping these young individuals succeed academically but we are also promoting a safer, more resilient community. This funding is critical in ensuring that our students have the necessary resources to overcome barriers and achieve their full potential.

By addressing housing needs, Pinkney says the program aims to remove barriers to degree completion and enhance students' ability to focus on their studies, leading to increased postsecondary completion rates and improved job prospects. The team from STLCC’s SARC is working to identify the next cohort of students who are eligible for rental assistance and build upon the program's success.

References

City of St. Louis. (2023). City of St. Louis affordable housing report. https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/community-development/documents/city-of-st-louis-2023-affordable-housing-report.cfm

Geary, A. (2022). Barriers to higher education: Understanding the impact of housing insecurity on student success. New America.

National Low Income Housing Coalition. (2024). Out of reach: The high cost of housing, Missouri. https://nlihc.org/oor/state/mo

Network for Public Health Law. (2021). Public health implications of housing instability, eviction, and homelessness. https://www.networkforphl.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Fact-Sheet-Public-Health-Implications-of-Housing-Instability-Eviction-and-Homelessness.pdf

St. Louis Community College. (2024). Fall 2024 enrollment report. Institutional Research and Planning. https://stlcc.edu/docs/about/irp/hea_enrollment_report_f2024.pdf

The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs. (2024). Preview: 2023-24 student basic needs survey report. Temple University. https://hope.temple.edu/research/hope-center-basic-needs-survey/preview-2023-24-student-basic-needs-survey

U.S. News & World Report. (n.d.) Most dangerous places in the U.S. in 2025-2026.  https://realestate.usnews.com/places/rankings/most-dangerous-places

Christine Davis is Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs, at St. Louis Community College in St. Louis, Missouri.

Opinions expressed in Member Spotlight are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the League for Innovation in the Community College.