By: Kalimah Muhammad, Research Associate
In Connecticut, the economic divide between residents from communities of color and white residents is alarming, with communities of color facing some of the greatest barriers to stable and affordable housing.i Exclusionary zoning, skyrocketing construction costs, redlining, persistent rent inflation, and lack of employment opportunities have made it nearly impossible for many families of color to secure safe and affordable homes.ii As a result, many face housing insecurity and homelessness.iii For young people, housing instability undermines physical health, mental well-being, and the ability to thrive.
Inadequate access to stable housing creates a ripple effect on students of color that extends far beyond their living situations. The constant stress of housing instability can lead to anxiety, depression, and difficulty concentrating in school.iv Policymakers and schools often miss these challenges, leaving young people without adequate support. This report explores how housing instability affects teens and young adults of color in Connecticut, with a focus on school attendance, mental health, and overall outlook on the future. By using data from fair housing advocacy groups, existing literature, and interviews with a Hartford middle school teacher, a college access coordinator, and a first-generation low-income international student at a university in the Greater Hartford area, this report highlights the personal, institutional, and systemic challenges faced by housing-insecure students.