Giving

Safe Shelters, Strong Futures

Four students smile behind a red table at a resource fair for "CSUN With A Heart: Your Basic Needs Network," which includes a spinning prize wheel and informational displays.

Crucial resource

CSUN with a HEART team members spread the word about the myriad services available to students, including food and housing assistance.

To donate to the CSUN with a HEART Fund, visit engage.csun.edu/csunwithaheart.

“I just wanted to say ‘thank you’ … I have been able to secure housing and will be moving in soon. I am overcome by feelings of gratitude and relief. I would not be in this position had you not advocated for me, and I am truly so, so grateful. I am excited to be able to give my children their own space and not have to constantly worry about our safety.”

This is what’s possible with the support of the CSUN with a HEART Fund and the university’s Basic Needs Office. Through its partnership with Jovenes, a nonprofit dedicated to helping young adults overcome homelessness, CSUN’s Rapid Rehousing Program provides students with temporary and long-term housing solutions, along with vital support services. These services cover subsidized rental and move-in costs, along with short-term rental assistance designed to help students transition to full responsibility for their housing. It’s a lifeline for students who need a stable and safe home — including student parents — giving them the opportunity to focus on their academic journeys.

“This assistance is not just financial — it brings me peace of mind and allows me to focus on moving forward with my work and goals. I truly appreciate your kindness and generosity. Thank you, again, for your support. I feel incredibly grateful.”

The CSUN Basic Needs Office also offers emergency housing grants, providing one-time funding support for emergency rental assistance or other housing needs. These grants mitigate the risk of students becoming unhoused due to unforeseen hardships, increasing stability, comfort and peace of mind.

For too many CSUN students, finding a safe place to sleep at night is the main roadblock to their success. CSUN with a HEART is the lifeline that often means the difference between staying in school or dropping out. From temporary on-campus housing and rental assistance to guidance toward long-term housing solutions, CSUN with a HEART is the crucial resource helping struggling students stay focused on the finish line: their degree.

Our vision for the future includes a dedicated housing center within the Valera NEST, slated to open in spring 2026 in the heart of the University Student Union. The NEST will provide easy access to housing resources and other basic needs.

You can help! Donations to the CSUN with a HEART Fund support basic needs programs across campus and help expand emergency grants and housing capacity, ensuring that no student’s education is interrupted. When you support students’ basic needs at CSUN, you’re not just providing a temporary bed or shelter. You’re providing hope, dignity and stability so our students can rise to their full potential. —Naz Keynejad

Back to Issue