The struggle for basic needs continues to hit close to home for many students at the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD), as a new survey reveals that nearly two out of three are wrestling with food and/or housing insecurity. The 2025 Real College Survey, which included over 3,700 student responses from the four SDCCD colleges as part of a broader study across 102 California community colleges, found that 67% of San Diego’s community college students face these dire challenges. This aligns with the state average, where 46% of students reportedly face food insecurity and 58% deal with housing insecurity, as reported by NBC San Diego.
In response to the alarming statistics, SDCCD has reminded students of the various aids available at its institutions. "It’s essential for our students to have their basic needs for food and housing met so they can be successful in the classroom and in life," Susan Topham, SDCCD Vice Chancellor of Educational Services, told SDCCD's Newscenter. Each college in the district offers food pantries, lists of local resources for shelter, transit passes, gas cards, clothing, and emergency grants to help quickly to address these issues.
The grim reality is palpable at institutions like San Diego City College, Mesa College, San Diego Miramar College, and the San Diego College of Continuing Education, where many students are uncertain where their next meal will come from or where they might sleep at night. About 23% of students at SDCCD are homeless, and these colleges are actively stepping up efforts to support them.
Each campus boasts its own approach to alleviating student burden: City College has the Knights' Table Food Pantry for meals and hygiene products, and Mesa College's The Stand provides emergency food pantry services. Miramar College offers a Jet Fuel Resource Center with a clothing closet and free farmers’ markets. The College of Continuing Education's CARES program delivers free clothing, personal care items, and transportation gift cards, as well as referrals to help further support services. Construction of an affordable 800-bed student housing complex at City College is reportedly underway, with expected completion in fall 2028.
