STUDENT FIGHTS AGAINST COLLEGE STUDENT HOMELESSNESS

Homelessness continues to be an issue for many college students, with a recent #RealCollegeSurvey stating that over 52% of students across 17 Oregon community colleges reported being “housing insecure” during the COVID-19 pandemic – the biggest problem being paying rent and other expenses when they’ve lost their means of income.

In an effort to solve those issues, MHCC student and TRIO ambassador Bakr Alkarawi has taken steps to help fight against student homelessness by pushing new state legislation in Salem to publicly support the Affordable Rents for College Students (ARCS) program.

ARCS is a pilot program that aims to solve homelessness for college students by giving a 50% subsidy to students that effectively caps monthly rent at $500-$525, helps pay off other household bills, and provides free access to the internet.

Based on a model program out of Tacoma, Washington, Oregon collaborators in the effort include Portland State University, Portland Community College, MHCC, New Avenues for Youth and College Housing Northwest. Funding so far has supported just under 20 students locally – and now the emphasis is on gaining new public money, through a proposed bill Alkarawi and others are promoting to state legislators. (At press deadline, no measure had yet been formally introduced in the 2021 Oregon Legislature.)

According to Alkarawi, “ARCS was created by our community leaders who have observed a lack of state and federal response to the expanding issue of college student homelessness… It is cold right now and there are students who are sleeping in their cars.”

While he hasn’t had any legislator openly reject the proposal to increase funding for ARCS, he knows the argument of a lack of resources (state money) is the main barrier.

But Alkarawi said there is a “fundamental flaw” in that way of thinking, the message being Oregon lawmakers are “prioritizing something else over education, safety and the health, of the future of our humanity.”

Alkarawi is a current Mt. Hood student who aims to become a physician, through Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU). Alkarawi became aware of ARCS when he faced eviction himself. With that assistance, his own issue was resolved, but he became a passionate advocate, seeing many students like himself in housing jeopardy.

Born in Iraq, Alkarawi came to the U.S. six years ago. ARCS takes special note of immigrant students such as himself, and other underrepresented minority students, who are particularly vulnerable to the COVID impact on their housing situation. “ARCS knows the needs of our students better than our government because they were created by the leaders of our local educational institutions and nonprofit organizations,” he said.

Alkarawi has been able to survive with the help of many at Mt. Hood. He credits instructors Catherine Creech (biology), Jonathan Spindor (math), and Grace Richardson (reading) for being supportive in his efforts and encouraging him to continue in his endeavors, even going as far as to work with him individually on his assignments. He singles out Stephanie Haas (student resource specialist) for providing him with housing resources and continued support since earning his GED at MHCC, and John Sheehan (community resource coordinator) for his tailored approach to helping students and for helping him find housing security.

As far as his activism to reach legislators about ARCS, he credits his success to the MHCC Board of Education, Al Sigala (MHCC communications director) and college President Lisa Skari, who have all “amplified” his message, he said. He also thanks Mt. Hood instructor and state Sen. Chris Gorsek for his continued advocacy for homeless college students.

“I think that our politicians can learn a thing or two from Senator Gorsek’s exemplary leadership. (He) truly represents our student needs and interests,” said Alkarawi, who insists that ARCS is a critical need in Oregon, and continues his own lobbying efforts to help those trying to become first-generation college students and create a better life, he said.

“There is nothing more important than the safety, health and education of our children, which is exactly what ARCS is giving to our homeless students,” said Alkarawi. “We are the future of humanity and where humanity is taking its next step, which is why we are worth every bit of this investment.”