3/9/23 – Alyssa Aguilar

Welcome. Today, we’re delving into a story that, while deeply personal, mirrors a broader societal issue—affordable housing and its undeniable impact on educational opportunities for children. Let’s start with your story. Can you share how your personal experiences have brought these issues to light?

Thank you for having me. My journey into the complexities of affordable housing began with my own childhood. Growing up in a family that moved frequently due to financial constraints and the constant search for affordable housing left a lasting impact on my education. Each move meant a new school, new teachers, and the challenge of catching up academically and socially. The instability was a constant barrier to forming lasting friendships and accessing consistent educational support. It wasn’t until my family finally settled into a stable, affordable housing community when I was in high school that I saw a positive change in my academic performance and overall well-being.

This personal history sparked my passion for advocating affordable housing solutions, particularly those that support families and children, ensuring they have stable foundations necessary for successful educational journeys.

Your experience highlights a crucial link between stable housing and educational success. Reflecting on your journey, how do you see the broader implications of housing instability on children’s education in communities like Aurora?

Housing instability has profound implications on children’s education, extending beyond individual stories like mine to affect entire communities. Children in families struggling to find or maintain affordable housing often experience frequent school changes, leading to disrupted learning, lower academic performance, and difficulty in forming lasting relationships with peers and mentors. Moreover, the stress and anxiety of housing instability can affect children’s mental health, further impacting their ability to focus and succeed in school.

In communities like Aurora, where affordable housing is increasingly scarce, these challenges are magnified. The cycle of moving and readjusting can perpetuate disparities in educational outcomes, contributing to a broader gap in achievement and opportunity. It underscores the need for integrated solutions that address both housing and education as interconnected elements of community well-being.

Given these interconnected challenges, what initiatives or policies do you believe are necessary to support families in need of stable, affordable housing, and in turn, support children’s education?

Addressing the intersection of affordable housing and children’s education requires a multifaceted approach:

• Integrated Support Services: Develop housing communities that offer integrated support services, including after-school programs, tutoring, and counseling. These services can provide children with stability and support that complement their education.
• School Stability Programs: Implement policies that support school stability for children experiencing housing instability, such as allowing children to remain in their original schools after moving, with transportation assistance provided.
• Affordable Housing Near Schools: Encourage the development of affordable housing projects near schools to reduce the need for families to move far from educational resources and support networks.
• Rental Assistance and Housing Subsidies: Expand rental assistance and housing subsidy programs for low-income families, reducing the financial burden of housing and minimizing the risk of frequent moves.
• Community and School Partnerships: Foster partnerships between schools, housing authorities, and community organizations to create a supportive network that addresses the holistic needs of children and families.

As we consider these solutions, what message do you hope to convey to the community and policymakers about the importance of integrating affordable housing and educational support?

The message I hope to convey is one of holistic community investment. The integration of affordable housing and educational support is not merely a housing policy issue but a foundational element of fostering successful, resilient communities. By investing in stable, affordable housing, we’re also investing in the educational success and future potential of our children.

To policymakers, I urge a commitment to creating and sustaining affordable housing solutions that consider the educational needs of children. To the community, I emphasize the importance of advocacy and support for policies and initiatives that recognize the interconnectedness of housing stability and educational opportunity.

Ensuring every child has access to stable housing and quality education is a critical step toward breaking cycles of poverty and building a brighter future for all within our communities.

Thank you for sharing your story and insights. Your perspective is invaluable in understanding the critical link between stable, affordable housing and the educational success of children in our community.

Thank you for the opportunity to share my experiences and thoughts on this vital issue. I’m hopeful that by raising awareness and working together, we can make significant strides in providing every child with the stable foundation they need to succeed academically and thrive in life. Let’s continue to push forward with purpose and collective action.