HOUSE Liaison Committee

In 2022, the state of Illinois implemented the Higher Education Housing and Opportunities Act to assist and support students experiencing homelessness and students in care. To assist and support students facing homelessness and students in care, and in compliance with IL Public Act 102-0083, National Louis University has created a HOUSE (Housing and Opportunities that are Useful for Students’ Excellence) Committee, as well as appointed a HOUSE liaison to support enrolled students experiencing homelessness and students in care. Enrolled students may qualify for consideration as homeless or as a student in care if they meet the criteria outlined below.

Homeless and At-Risk Students

The Division of Student Affairs spearheads the effort to address student housing insecurity by providing assistance to students facing housing instability.

Definitions as defined by this act:

Identifying Students Experiencing Homelessness:

• An individual enrolled in an institution who lacks or is at imminent risk of lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence [ i.e. currently living temporarily with others, in a shelter, hotel/motel, car, park, abandoned building, public spaces, train or bus station, or a similar setting] or whose parent or legal guardian is unable or unwilling to provide shelter and care and includes a homeless individual as defined under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. For the purposes of this definition, the term "fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence" does not include residence in an institution of higher education's on-campus housing.

Student in care:

• Any person, regardless of age, who is or was under the care and legal custody of the Department of Children and Family Services, including youth for whom the Department has court-ordered legal responsibility, youth who aged out of care at age 18 or older, or youth formerly under care who have been adopted and were the subject of an adoption assistance agreement or who have been placed in private guardianship and were the subject of a subsidized guardianship agreement.

Students Experiencing Homelessness or Housing Insecurity

If you are experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity or basic needs insecurity, National Louis University is here to connect you with support and resources. Please email housing@nl.edu

Assistance During Academic Breaks

If you reside in university residential housing, you are allowed to remain in housing during breaks. Academic Year housing is from September to June. Summer housing is considered a separate housing process, and there is limited availability, so for students who do not have housing during summer breaks, they should submit a housing application to request summer housing. No housing deposit is required. Students must be enrolled in Summer OR Fall courses in order to be approved for Summer Housing. 

Email: 
Office Hours: Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

If this is an emergency, please call 911.

Refer Students Experiencing Homelessness or Housing Insecurity

If you are aware of a student who may be experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity, or basic needs challenges, please complete the Student Referral Form for Housing and Basic Needs Support. Your referral will help connect them with essential resources through the Counseling and Wellness Center’s GSU4U program and HOUSE Committee.

Resources

• Louie's Fresh Market & Resource Hub: https://nl.edu/student-services/louies-fresh-market-and-resource-hub/ 
• Community Resources: https://nl.edu/student-services/louies-fresh-market-and-resource-hub/campus-and-community-resources/

Campus HOUSE Committee

The HOUSE Committee, consisting of the HOUSE Liaisons: the Housing and Student Support Manager, Emergency Housing and Partnerships Coordinator, the Senior Director of Student Support Services and Wellness, and the Assistant Dean of Students. This team works together to provide comprehensive support to students who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness

Their goal is to assist students in finding alternative housing options, assess needs, and provide additional support services. To address the multifaceted needs of enrolled students facing homelessness, the wraparound services for students facing homelessness, basic needs insecurity, and students in care/alternative care centers to help provide holistic support to help them as they face challenges/barriers to academic success.

The HOUSE Liaison Committee

TJ Martin
Assistant Dean of Students & Director of Housing & Residence Life

Vez Osmani
Director of Access & Campus Resources 

Rebeca Narro Perez
Housing and Student Support Manager

Angelica Cibrian
Emergency Housing and Partnerships Coordinator (Case Manager)

Statistics on Housing & Food Insecurity

During 2023, it is estimated that about 3.5 million young adults aged 18 to 25 and 700,000 youth aged 13 to 17 experienced some form of homelessness throughout the year. This includes various situations like staying in shelters, on the streets, or couch surfing (Annie E. Casey Foundation). Factors contributing to youth homelessness include family conflict, economic hardship, racial disparities, and mental health issues. Youth who have been involved with the foster care or juvenile justice systems are particularly vulnerable. (National Alliance to End Homelessness) (NCSL).

Also, In 2023, approximately 29% of young adults experiencing homelessness were enrolled in college or another educational program. This finding comes from a study conducted by Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago, which highlights the significant challenges faced by homeless youth in pursuing higher education. These challenges include weak academic foundations, limited family support, and difficulties in accessing financial resources (Schoolhouse Connection) (National Alliance to End Homelessness). These issues inspired what became SB190 (Public Act 102- 0083) – Higher Education Housing and Opportunities Act which was spearheaded by Sen. Glowiak-Hilton and Rep. West.