Cerritos College is moving forward with its long-awaited student housing project, offering new updates on construction progress and how affordable the housing will be for students.
The 400-bed housing project is getting approved by its most recent set of logistical hurdles.
At a recent meeting of the Cerritos College Board of Trustees, college officials reported that the housing project is scheduled to meet its 2026 targets.
Development has made great progress with submitting the architectural plans to the Division of State Architects.
This submission is the next big stage in the build, making sure all structural and safety standards are met.
This project has the college adjusting to a major shift in how the building is being funded.
Changes in grant funding have happened recently for this program, from a direct grant-funded model to the California Senate Bill 155.
This creates a new statewide lease revenue bond program that funds campus residency projects.
Although the project’s funding has changed, student costs would not be negatively impacted.
Dean of Student Services, Elizabeth Miller, wanted to ensure that this new housing project would not be unattainable and would stay affordable.
“This change does not affect student affordability,” she said.
Cerritos College must still follow legal limits on rental rates.
Rental rates will continue to be based on Area Median Income, and make sure that housing is still affordable for students.
Although the financial setup has been decided, the specifications for residency have not.
This housing project will bring 400 beds to campus, and the application process has not been determined.
Many students wonder if residency will be based on prioritization of financial hardship or first come first serve.
Cerritos will look for external expertise to be in charge of the day-to-day aspects of the project.
“The college will partner with a program operator to manage the leasing aspects of the facility,” Miller added.
With this, the college still wants to help shape the project’s vision, but partner with a professional operator to handle the logistical side of it all.
Partnerships in these types of projects are typical to ensure that building maintenance and tenant relations are handled with professional oversight.
As the Division of State Architects reviews the blueprints, the campus community awaits the updates on the project.
Cerritos College’s new student housing project is a move from being known as a commuter-based campus to a residential community.
With these improvements, students look toward the expansion of student housing to relieve housing insecurities for many in the region.
“It is crucial to provide more affordable student housing so that students can focus on their education and build their futures,” the Board of Trustees emphasized during the meeting.
Cerritos College is hopeful that the change to the California Senate Bill 155 will provide more reliable funding for this project.
The college is anticipating a change from a legislative bond to a tangible reality for affordable housing for students.
Following the DSA approval, finishing up the operator contract and the application requirements will be the next big obstacles.
At the moment, the student housing project is a big part of campus growth for the 2026 academic year and the near future.
