College to receive $62M for student housing


HOME SWEET HOME—Ventura College will receive over $62 million, which will fund apartment-type student housing to provide over 300 beds in 95 units with rental costs ranging from $400 to $900 per month.

HOME SWEET HOME—Ventura College will receive over $62 million, which will fund apartment-type student housing to provide over 300 beds in 95 units with rental costs ranging from $400 to $900 per month.

In Ventura County, the median gross rent is $1,854, according to Census.gov (2016-20). For college students, this can be a crushing obstacle to fulfilling their educational goals.

When Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 183 in June, approving more than $542 million for the construction of affordable student housing, Ventura College was among the 11 recipients.

The college will receive over $62 million, which will fund apartment-type student housing to provide over 300 beds in 95 units with rental costs ranging from $400 to $900 per month.

The funding comes at an opportune time, as 18% of Ventura College students experience housing insecurity, defined as having issues with affordability, safety, quality or housing loss.

A student housing market and demand analysis created for Ventura College determined that students have experienced increased costs and challenges in finding housing.

A recent study by the Scion Group, a third-party research firm, determined that local market costs have increased an average of 4% annually. These increases, coupled with rising inflation, have significantly limited affordable housing options for students.

All three schools in the Ventura County Community College District—Moorpark, Oxnard, and Ventura colleges—received funding through AB 183.

Moorpark College was awarded $250,000 and Oxnard College received $249,000 for proposals to research the feasibility and planning of affordable student housing on their campuses.

The Ventura College housing project will be on campus property and is expected to break ground in 2023.

Affordable housing is the next step in providing a holistic approach to combating educational barriers students face.

Ventura College already provides student support through its Basic Needs Office, where students are offered referrals to housing, homeless shelters, and mental health counseling.

The office also provides food and essential supplies such as diapers and toiletries; assists students in signing up for CalFresh; and offers access to campus shower facilities and lockers.

Locally and nationally, student housing insecurity and homelessness are on the rise. A 2021 national assessment of basic needs insecurity among college students by The Hope Center reported that 48% of students surveyed across the U.S. stated they were housing insecure, while 14% reported experiencing homelessness in the previous year.