Riverside County Homelessness Oversight Board Tours Moreno Valley College's Innovative Student Housing Program
All 18 members of the Riverside County Continuum of Care Board of Governance visited Moreno Valley College on July 29 to observe the college's innovative approach to student housing. The visit gave county leaders, including District 5 Representative Yxstian Gutierrez and Darrell Frye, district representative for the office of Assemblymember Dr. Corey Jackson, an up-close look at a model designed to help vulnerable students remain enrolled and complete their education.
Rather than viewing a formal presentation, board members requested a firsthand look at the program. The delegation explored the college's Basic Needs & Wellness Center, Monty's Market food pantry and two off-campus apartment communities, Rancho Bellago and Continental Village, which house participants in Moreno Valley College's Lion's Path Housing Program.
Supported through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program, the initiative provides stable housing and wraparound support for students ages 18 to 24 who are experiencing homelessness, at risk of losing housing or fleeing domestic violence.
Unlike traditional campus housing models, the program leases units in existing residential communities, combining stable housing with case management and basic needs support. Students without children share fully furnished two-bedroom apartments with private locking bedrooms. Parenting students receive both bedrooms, allowing their children to have their own space. Case managers regularly visit the units to provide ongoing support and help students maintain stable living environments.
"This is one of the first in the country for sure, and the college, the county, and to some extent HUD are being creative and innovative to meet the needs of our housing-insecure students while adhering to the requirements of the legislation," said Laurie McQuay-Peninger, executive director of grants and sponsored programs for Riverside Community College District.
The program originated in 2024 under former Moreno Valley College President Robin Steinback, Ph.D., as part of a competitive application to Riverside County. Kimberly Thomas, director of basic needs at Norco College, first pushed the county to create a Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program funding set-aside for institutions of higher education, opening the door for colleges to apply. Norco College ultimately chose not to pursue the funding, but Moreno Valley College did, securing the grant and launching the program this year under current President Rudy Besikof, Ed.D.
During the grant period, the college will provide up to two years of supportive housing for at least 15 students. Program goals include helping 80% of participants transition to permanent housing, 60% complete a degree or certificate, transfer to a four-year university or enter the workforce, and 90% develop lasting supportive connections.
The initiative addresses a significant need among community college students. According to the 2019 California Community Colleges #RealCollege Survey of nearly 40,000 students across 57 colleges, 70% of respondents experienced at least one form of basic needs insecurity. Within Riverside Community College District, 66% of students reported experiencing at least one basic needs insecurity in the previous year, including challenges related to housing, food and other essential needs.
"In a matter of days, we transformed what was not a small challenge into an opportunity to proudly showcase Moreno Valley College and the extraordinary work being done to support our students," said Alise Clouser, Ph.D., principal investigator for Moreno Valley College's federal Basic Needs grant. "Our greatest strength is not our facilities or our programs. It is our people."
McQuay-Peninger said the board's reaction reflected the years of planning and collaboration behind the program.
"Excellence isn't always easy, and it certainly isn't often pretty, but I saw the looks of wow today, and that was pretty cool to see," she said.
Tracy Bennett, Moreno Valley College's director of health services, said Angie Gordon, a former Moreno Valley College basic needs supervisor who now works with the county's Continuum of Care, described the college's housing program as "the Beverly Hills" of the housing sites the board has toured.
"Every day, community college students across California are choosing between paying rent and staying enrolled," said Moreno Valley College President Rudy Besikof. "This program says that choice shouldn't exist. If a student is willing to do the work to earn a degree, we should be willing to make sure they have a safe place to sleep while they do it."
The visit was coordinated by Moreno Valley College's Basic Needs and Wellness team, including Michael Grace II, Jhonathan Fajardo, Kevin Anthony and Carly Uribe, alongside college leadership.
College leaders said they will continue strengthening partnerships with Riverside County, HUD and community organizations to expand support for students facing housing insecurity and help more students overcome barriers to completing their education.