Evaluation of a College Focused Rapid Rehousing Program on Basic Needs.

We evaluated the impact of a College Focused Rapid Rehousing (CFRRH) program on food security, food assistance, and nutrition habits. In California, as 11-19% of college students experience homelessness and 41-50% are food insecure, the state invested in the development of CFRRH programs. CFRRH is broadly based on the Housing First model: an intervention that provides access to housing that is not conditional upon additional treatment requirements. Since basic needs insecurities often coexist, evaluation of the impacts of a housing intervention on other insecurities, such as food insecurity, is needed. CFRRH students in 2 community colleges and 8, 4-year universities in California participated in the evaluation. CFRRH is a university-community partnership that provides housing subsidies, housing support, and basic needs case management for college students experiencing homelessness. Survey data were collected at baseline (n=181) and follow up (n=60) from program participants to assess food security, food assistance, and food purchasing, preparation, and consumption habits. Interviews (n=40) were conducted to assess participant's perceptions of the program's impact on their eating habits. Approximately 74% of participants reported very low or low food security at baseline with no significant differences at follow up. There was no change in receiving assistance applying for CalFresh or visiting the campus food pantry by time in the program. Students moderately agreed that the CFRRH program allowed them to purchase healthier foods (mean 3.8, SD 1.0), cook more at home (mean 3.8; SD 1.19), and consume a healthier diet (mean 3.5; SD 1.14). In interviews, some highlighted that while in the program they ate healthier meals and reported improved food storage and kitchen access. CFRRH had a modest impact on participant cooking and diet. As no significant change was seen in food security or in accessing food resources, more attention could be paid to providing food security resources in CFRRH. Kaiser Family Foundation, Angel Foundation, Kresge Foundation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]