Every child deserves the chance to succeed in school, yet in California many students face barriers that have little to do with the classroom itself. A lack of affordable housing has become one of the greatest obstacles to educational success. Without a stable home, children are more likely to miss school, struggle with homework, and fall behind their peers. Families that achieve homeownership, on the other hand, often see their children thrive academically.
At Habitat for Humanity of Orange County, we hear this echoed from families and community leaders alike. Their experiences align with recent research: stable housing directly influences how well students attend school, perform on tests, and prepare for college or careers.
A Stable Home Builds a Strong Start for Students
Children learn best when they have a safe and consistent place to call home. National research shows that long-term housing cost burden is tied to lower reading and math scores, along with higher rates of behavior challenges. In fact, each additional 10 percentage points of housing cost burden is associated with about a one-point drop in standardized test scores.
For many Habitat OC homeowners, that stability transforms daily life. Board member Marcy Tieger of Symphony Advisors, LLC recalls: “Our homeowners—their children—are more likely to go to college than otherwise. I’ve heard kids talk about not the glee of having a bedroom but the glee of having a place that’s quiet to study.” That space to focus on homework is a gift not every student has.
The Toll of Housing Instability in California
The California Department of Education reports that in the 2023–24 school year, only 74.6% of homeless students graduated, compared to 87.4% of their peers. Chronic absenteeism was nearly double, with 36.3% of homeless students missing large portions of the school year. Only 21.8% of homeless students were deemed college or career ready, less than half the rate of housed students.
Santa Ana Councilmember Jonathan Hernandez has seen these impacts close to home: “Having your own home not only helps raise your kids but also has helped the students achieve academic success,” he shared. “They saw a stride in seeing their student having success with their grades, completion of their homework, and bringing their friends into a safe place.”
Without a consistent address, many children lack even a corner to study in. “Oftentimes families have shared that they didn’t have living quarters where their son or daughter had access to a room where they can do their homework or have their study space,” Hernandez continued. “Habitat for Humanity homes are giving those families those opportunities they deserve.”
Why Affordable Homeownership Matters in Orange County
The affordability crisis in Southern California makes these challenges even more pressing. Home prices require income levels far beyond what most working families earn, locking many into unstable or overcrowded housing situations. This instability doesn’t only affect parents’ financial well-being—it directly limits their children’s ability to succeed in school.
By creating pathways to affordable homeownership, Habitat OC helps families build the foundation for stability. With a secure home, children are more likely to attend school regularly, complete their homework, and prepare for college or careers.
Education Outcomes that Last a Lifetime
Stable housing doesn’t just impact the present school year but follows students into adulthood. Research consistently shows that children who grow up in secure, affordable housing have higher rates of graduation and greater opportunities to continue their education.
As James Do of First Bank reflects: “Without an affordable home, it’s very hard for you to succeed in other areas of your life. For children, education is important. Without a home, it’s hard to study, hard to grow, hard to learn.”
Building Brighter Futures Through Housing Stability
Stable homes create the foundation students need to succeed in the classroom and beyond. In Orange County, where thousands of students face homelessness or housing instability each year, the need is urgent. By making affordable homeownership possible, Habitat OC is giving families the chance to break the cycle of instability and helping children thrive academically.
Learn how you can support this mission at habitatoc.org/support-us.
