A Review of Basic Needs (Food Security, Housing Security, and Homelessness) of US College Students’ During the COVID-19 Pandemic

OBJECTIVES: To assess the basic needs (food security, housing security, and homelessness) status of U.S. college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: PubMed, CINAHL, Academic Search Premier, and OVID were searched for articles published in 2020–2021 that assessed housing/food security and/or homelessness in US college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the 10,771 hits, 4 articles met the criteria, and data was extracted and summarized. RESULTS: All four studies utilized cross-sectional online surveys and reported response rates between 4–23%. Three of the studies offered incentives to participants. All studies assessed food security (using 2, 6, or 10 item USDA tools); two assessed housing security, and no studies assessed homelessness. Thirty-one to 65.5% of college students were found to have some form of food insecurity. Three studies showed an increase in food insecurity in college students during the pandemic. While the fourth did not evaluate food insecurity before the pandemic, 84.7% of students reported that the pandemic reduced their ability to buy food. Additionally, one study reported a decrease in housing security during the pandemic while a second study reported 49.8% of students being very or somewhat worried about losing housing as a result of the pandemic. No studies were found that assessed the incidence of homelessness in college students during the pandemic. Changes in living arrangements, loss of employment, being an international student, disability status, gender, ethnicity, and race were associated with food insecurity. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that among US college students, food and housing insecurity worsened during the pandemic. Colleges and universities should enhance their student screening methods and provide resources to those who need assistance with food or housing. Future studies should assess homelessness in college students to add to the literature available. FUNDING SOURCES: No funding.