City College held a press conference on Oct. 20 to celebrate its groundbreaking low-income housing project for up to 800 students at the community college in the East Village. The lot at 16th, 17th, B and C streets formerly held a Child Development Center that has since been moved up the street. The next year will be spent on demolition and site preparation before construction on the eight-story building begins.
The groundbreaking ceremony was the culmination of years of effort from district officials who knew lack of housing was a barrier for students being able to focus on their education. Initial funding of over $200,000 from The Lucky Duck Foundation, San Diego Foundation, Funders Together to End Homelessness, and the Parker Foundation helped start the process of this project, according to Acting Chancellor of the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) Gregory Smith.
“It’s amazing to be part of a district that is committed to identifying every barrier to access, persistence and success and help address it— including a basic need like housing,” Smith said.
While many struggling students might not identify themselves as homeless, those living in cars or couch surfing with friends meet the definition of being unhoused. A 2020 survey found that 64% of City College students faced housing insecurity and 20% reported being homeless.
“You can’t look at that information and choose not to act,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. He thanked the district for doing their part to address the city’s most pressing need: Housing and homelessness.
“This is absolutely a solvable thing and we’re taking steps as a district and a college to solve homelessness,” said City College President Ricky Shabazz.
Some of the financing for the project is still unknown but the state Affordable Student Housing Program committed $75 million. City College is one of the first community colleges in the state to receive such funding. The high need at City College’s urban campus is partially why it was selected by the state program.
In total, the projected costs range from $280 million to $308 million with bonds or state funding possible solutions for the gap.
Shabazz noted during the press conference that a lot of housing surrounds the campus, but at $3000 per month for a studio, it is outside of most students’ budgets. Rent per bed in the complex is expected to be at least $500 below market rate.
“Housing availability in San Diego is really scarce. And costs are beyond most students’ budgets. Student housing creates community, enhances engagement and this drives persistence and improves educational outcomes,” said SDCCD Board President Maria Nieto Senour. “We can’t emphasize enough how strongly we believe that student housing can be valuable in supporting the mission of the community college in providing accessible, high-quality education.”
She noted residential college programs consistently have better outcomes than commuter programs. The housing coming to City College will not be like the communal dorm rooms at most universities. Instead, there will be studios, suites, multi-room apartments and other options to meet a wide range of preferences and needs from students who may be veterans, foster youth, working adults, supporting families and more. In addition to typical apartment amenities like a laundry room, there will also be a grab-and-go shop, a communal kitchen/lounge, and study areas as well as counseling and tutoring services.
The development company behind the build is The Michaels Organization, which officials said they selected to support their first foray into housing because of the company’s national renown for developing, designing, constructing and operating apartment complexes.
Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins was unable to attend the press conference but said in a statement, “Access to higher education is about more than just affordable tuition – it also requires affordable housing. Projects like the San Diego City College affordable student housing project help open doors of opportunity for students.”
The project is expected to be completed in 2028.
Other colleges in the district will likely follow City College’s example in building housing, including Mesa College.
