A new law in California aims to expedite the development of student housing on coastal university campuses, addressing significant housing shortages faced by many institutions. The law, Assembly Bill 357, will take effect on January 1, 2024, following collaborative efforts between students from UC Santa Cruz and UC San Diego and California Assemblymember David Alvarez.
This legislation, known as the Student & Faculty Housing Success Act, seeks to streamline the approval process for campus housing projects by reducing bureaucratic obstacles imposed by the state’s Coastal Commission. According to supporters, the bill is expected to facilitate a higher rate of housing developments, ultimately benefiting students in need of stable accommodations.
“Tens of thousands of students experience homelessness every single year in California,” stated Kate Rodgers, policy director and co-chair of the Student Homes Coalition. She emphasized that the issue is particularly pressing at coastal campuses like UC Santa Cruz and UC Santa Barbara. The hope is that by simplifying the approval process, projects can be completed more quickly and at lower costs.
In California’s coastal zone, development proposals must receive approval from the Coastal Commission, which can complicate long-term planning for universities. Changes to existing plans, such as adjustments to building heights or the addition of units, often necessitate a new review process, significantly delaying timelines. Assembly Bill 357 addresses this by allowing the Coastal Commission’s executive director to determine when minor changes are of negligible environmental impact, expediting their approval.
Additionally, the bill shifts the responsibility of determining parking requirements for housing facilities to the universities themselves, reducing construction costs and freeing up space for additional housing units.
This legislative change follows the passage of Assembly Bill 130 in June 2023, which introduced broader reforms to housing development regulations. Among other measures, it mandated that the Coastal Commission approve housing projects within 90 days, aligning its timelines with those of other public agencies. Furthermore, certain projects will now be exempt from appeal, streamlining the overall process.
The motivation behind Assembly Bill 357 stemmed from firsthand experiences with housing insecurity among students at coastal universities. Evelin Chavez, a second-year student at UC Santa Cruz and a member of the UC Student Association, has been vocal about the challenges students face. Currently, UC Santa Cruz accommodates approximately 9,300 students, while enrollment stands at around 17,940 undergraduates and 1,998 graduates. A 2020 survey indicated that 9% of UCSC students reported experiencing homelessness.
Changes to UCSC’s housing policy have compounded these issues. The shift from a priority system to a randomized lottery for continuing students has led to uncertainty for many, forcing some to navigate the high rental costs in Santa Cruz without adequate support. “Low-income first-generation students are being pushed out of an education because they cannot afford to live near their campus,” Chavez remarked.
These housing challenges also intersect with other critical issues, such as food insecurity. According to the same survey, over 40% of UCSC students reported struggling with access to sufficient food. “Our campus climate really stems from all these housing issues,” Chavez added, highlighting the interconnected nature of these challenges.
Chavez’s advocacy has extended beyond the campus. She has engaged with local policymakers and supported initiatives such as Measure C, aimed at raising awareness of student housing struggles. “I decided that there has to be some change,” she stated, expressing her commitment to improving housing conditions for students.
Looking ahead, UCSC has plans to expand housing to accommodate 100% of new full-time student enrollment above 19,500, along with housing for up to 25% of new employees. Scott Hernandez-Jason, a representative from UCSC, noted that the university aims to provide 40% more housing within the next decade, with several projects already in the pipeline. These developments are projected to yield hundreds of additional beds for students, with completion dates ranging from 2026 to 2030.
As the new law takes effect, it represents a significant step toward alleviating housing shortages for students at California’s coastal universities, providing hope for improved living conditions and educational access.
