In response to California’s growing affordable housing shortage and its impact on California Community Colleges’ students, the Board of Governors have prioritized the development of a holistic, student-centered, affordability and basic needs infrastructure. This priority includes a focus and strategy around student housing which increases the stock of affordable units to support low-income students and facilitates their access to higher education.
Beginning in February 2022, the Chancellor’s Office convened an Affordable Student Housing Taskforce in alignment with the goals of the Board of Governors and the Vision for Success. The Taskforce was charged with:
- Developing a comprehensive student housing framework which addressed both short and long-term needs, policies, and the operational infrastructure necessary to expand affordable student housing at California Community Colleges.
- Engaging and learning from districts participating in the Higher Education Student Housing Grant, including reviewing feasibility studies and technical assistance needs, to understand elements that are essential to a robust California Community Colleges student housing program.
- Making preliminary recommendations to the Board of Governors on a broad mission statement for a comprehensive and effectively structured students housing program for California Community Colleges by May 2022.
- Presenting recommendations to the Board of Governors which lay out strategies for maximizing the Higher Education Student Housing Grant, that identify necessary statewide standards or regulations, maximize flexibility for local planning and decision-making, and create the conditions to support the re-envisioning of a student-centered support ecosystem.
- Making recommendations to define a clear program structure for affordable student housing within the system; create minimum standards for affordable student housing across the system; and identify technical assistance and professional development supports for the successful local implementation of student housing programs.
The findings and guidance of the Taskforce is summarized in the Affordable Student Housing Taskforce Report and Recommendations. This report focuses on the following areas:
- Mission
- Affordability
- Integrated Support Services
- Partnerships & Advocacy
- Data
- Total Cost of Lifetime Ownership
- Regulations
The Affordable Student Housing Taskforce laid the foundation for the California Community Colleges’ Affordable Student Housing Program and the direction for the continued work of the newly established Student Housing Unit.
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Affordable Student Housing Taskforce Report & Recommendations (PDF)
This report by the Affordable Student Housing Taskforce is presented to the Board of Governors for consideration and approval. The Taskforce was comprised of Board of Governors for California Community Colleges members, stakeholders, and college professionals, including representatives from the Student Senate for California Community Colleges, the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges, student services leaders, facilities directors, business officers, college presidents, and non-profit/community-based organization leaders. The report is comprised of seven sections, each with a set of recommendations.
2022 Affordable Student Housing Taskforce Meeting Schedule and Agendas
| Date | Location | Resources |
|---|---|---|
| February 11 | Online | |
| March 11 | Online | |
| April 8 | Online | |
| May 20 | Online | |
| June 10 | Online | |
| July 8 | Online | |
| August 12 | Online | |
| October 14 | Online | |
| December 12 | Online |
