A new California Assembly bill designed to expedite the development of student housing on coastal university campuses will take effect on January 1, 2024. The initiative, known as Assembly Bill 357, aims to address severe housing shortages affecting many universities, colleges, and community colleges in California.
This legislation emerged from a collaboration between students from UC Santa Cruz and UC San Diego. It seeks to streamline the approval process for campus housing developments by reducing bureaucratic hurdles imposed by the state’s Coastal Commission, which oversees development projects in coastal areas. Supporters believe this will lead to faster construction timelines, ultimately increasing the availability of housing for students.
Key Features of Assembly Bill 357
Assembly Bill 357, also referred to as the Student & Faculty Housing Success Act, aims to enhance the efficiency of housing development on university campuses. It allows the executive director of the Coastal Commission to determine when proposed modifications to long-range development plans are minor enough to have negligible environmental impacts. This change is expected to minimize delays that often arise when institutions need to revise their housing plans.
Another significant aspect of the bill is that it enables universities to establish their own parking requirements for student and faculty housing facilities. Kate Rodgers, policy director and co-chair of the Student Homes Coalition, emphasized the importance of this provision, stating that parking structures are costly and consume valuable space that could otherwise be used for additional housing units.
In October 2023, this bill was passed in conjunction with Assembly Bill 130, which introduced comprehensive reforms aimed at promoting housing development across California. This earlier law mandates that the Coastal Commission approve projects within 90 days and exempts certain housing developments from appeals, helping to further accelerate the approval process.
Impact on Students and Future Developments
The urgency for such legislative measures is underscored by the housing crisis affecting students across California. According to estimates, tens of thousands of students face homelessness each year, with the issue being particularly pronounced at coastal campuses like UC Santa Cruz and UC Santa Barbara. A 2020 survey revealed that 9% of UCSC students reported experiencing homelessness, reflecting the dire need for more accessible housing options.
One student advocate, Evelin Chavez, has been actively involved in addressing these housing challenges. As an organizing director for UCSC’s Student Union Assembly and a member of the board of directors for the UC Student Association, Chavez has witnessed firsthand the adverse effects of the current housing policies. She highlighted the difficulties faced by students who do not secure on-campus housing, forcing them into an expensive rental market.
In light of these challenges, UCSC plans to expand its housing capacity significantly. Current projections indicate that the university aims to provide housing for 100% of new full-time students above 19,500 and for up to 25% of new employees. UCSC is also looking to increase its housing supply by 40% within the next decade.
While UCSC has several housing developments in the works, projected to open between 2026 and 2030, the university is currently not planning any projects in the coastal zone that would require Coastal Commission approval. According to UCSC representative Scott Hernandez-Jason, the institution appreciates the state’s efforts to provide more flexibility in project development.
As these changes take effect, supporters of Assembly Bill 357 hope that the time and resources saved will enable universities and colleges to focus on building more housing for students, faculty, and staff. The collaboration between students and lawmakers reflects a growing recognition of the critical need for affordable housing solutions within California’s educational institutions.
