Discover Basic Needs Navigation Guide
Students’ basic needs include access to nutritious and sufficient food; safe, secure, and adequate housing – to sleep, to study, to cook, and to shower; healthcare to promote sustained mental and physical wellbeing; affordable technology and transportation; resources for personal hygiene; and childcare and related needs.
SMC's Basic Needs Program is here to help you connect with food, housing & transportation resources on & off campus ( a whole basic needs ecosystem (opens in new window) to support your academic success!). Learn more about SMC's Basic Needs staff and services by visiting SMC's Basic Needs Program (opens in new window) homepage.
Food insecurity is being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable and nutritious food; this can be due to lack of money and/or access to resources. SMC offers a variety of food resources on campus and off campus! To learn about about CalFresh, SMC's Bodega (Food Pantry) Program and SMC'S Meal 2.0 Project, please visit Basic Needs Program Website:
Food Security Website (opens in new window)
Meal Project 2.0 Homepage (opens in new window)
Students can also email Foodsecurity@smc.edu for additional assistance and more information.
Housing insecurity refers to challenges in:
- Cost of housing
- Couch Surfing (periodically staying with friends)
- Inability to pay rent and/or utilities
- Poor housing quality
- Overcrowded and/or unstable neighborhoods
- Evictions
- Unsafe home environment or need to escape an unsafe housing situation
Safe, comfortable, and convenient housing is essential to success in college. Although SMC does not have student housing, please review the information on this page for local housing options and tips.
Emergency Housing Information is available for SMC students to access resources in the community. Emergency Shelter, Housing Assistance, Safe Parking options can be found on SMC's Housing Security website (opens in new window) .
Housing Support
If you are looking for information on finding housing, housing tips or getting started
with living arrangements check out SMC's Housing Support website (opens in new window) .
We know how important it is to be able to get to campus in a safe, reliable, affordability way. SMC students benefit from many transportation resources, parking services and even a safety escort service! To learn about about all these options, visit SMC's Parking & Transportation Website (opens in new window)
