Basic needs insecurity describes situations during which a person lacks or has inconsistent access to things needed for human wellbeing, such as adequate food and shelter. Basic needs insecurity is commonly divided into two categories: food insecurity and housing insecurity.
Food insecurity is defined as a "limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe food, or that ability to acquire such food in a socially acceptable manner. The most extreme form is often accompanied by a physiological sensation of hunger”1.
Housing insecurity is defined as including "a broad set of challenges such as the inability to pay rent or utilities, or the need to move frequently"1. Both these basic needs insecurities are widespread issues.
Unique Challenges for University Students
According to The Hope Center's 2019 report1, students of higher education face particular challenges when it comes to having their basic needs met, leading them to experience basic needs insecurity at higher rates than the general population. Various aspects of the student experience leave this population vulnerable in unique ways.
Barriers to food security students face include2:
- Sudden expenses stressing already tight budgets
- Time when students are balancing school and work
- Transportation and access to affordable food within the reach of campus
- Limited food storage space in dorms
- The requirements in qualifying for food assistance
Barriers to accessing support include2,3:
- Stigma
- Perceiving their situation as not being dire enough to require assistance
- Simple lack of knowledge about what resources are available
While specific needs and the rates at which they affect the student population vary, what is clear from the research is that students of higher education are particularly vulnerable to basic needs insecurities. As such, institutions are looking to work to bridge these gaps, develop new strategies, and engage with literature on the subject. At George Mason, the Student Support and Advocacy Center (SSAC) is working to aid students who are experiencing basic needs insecurity or are otherwise in crisis. This website provides an overview of services provided.