From campus to policy: tackling the student housing crisis

About this episode

This episode discusses the student housing crisis and the impact of youth-led advocacy on housing policy.

In this week's episode, NHC President and CEO David Dworkin sits down with Kate Rodgers, Chair and Policy Director of the Student HOMES Coalition, to explore the growing student housing crisis and the power of youth-led advocacy in shaping housing policy. Kate shares her journey from legislative advocacy as a UCLA freshman to becoming a leading voice in statewide student housing reform. Together, they discuss why access to safe, affordable housing is foundational to student success and how rising housing costs, restrictive regulations, and community resistance are pushing more students into housing insecurity and homelessness.

People in this episode

Host: David Dworkin

Guest: Kate Rodgers

Topics covered

• student housing crisis
• youth advocacy
• housing policy
• affordable housing
• housing insecurity
• homelessness

Keywords

• student housing
• affordable housing
• housing policy
• youth advocacy
• housing insecurity
• homelessness
• California

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Student HOMES Coalition, UCLA

More episodes of Beyond Four Walls: Conversations on Affordable Housing

• How Mary K. Simkhovitch shaped the affordable housing movement · April 27, 2026 · 58 min
• Housing affordability challenges and solutions with Habitat's Jonathan Reckford · April 13, 2026 · 45 min
• How CONVERGENCE is expanding homeownership in Central Ohio and nationwide · March 16, 2026 · 51 min
• The state of the rental housing market with Bob Pinnegar, President and CEO, NAA · March 2, 2026 · 42 min
• Exploring gentrification and homeownership with CFA's Sharon Cornelissen · February 17, 2026 · 57 min
• Ending Homelessness: Successful Strategies for Sustainable Results · February 2, 2026 · 44 min