From providing easier access to support services to facilitating connections with fellow students, university housing can provide students with a plethora of benefits that will help them persist to graduation. As enrollment numbers at the CSU continue to grow, its universities are putting forward innovative solutions to increase their housing capacity and offer quality, affordable housing options for all students. Read about just six of the residential building projects at the CSU.
San José State
San José State's new Spartan Village on the Paseo housing complex. (Photo courtesy SJSU/Robert Bain)
In August 2024, San José State unveiled its
Spartan Village on the Paseo, a unique student housing concept located in the heart of the city's downtown. Once the south tower of the Signia by Hilton San José hotel complex, the new housing center offers 679 beds for students, dining facilities with full catering, a fitness center, a gaming and entertainment center, study lounges and a skybridge with views of downtown and additional study areas. In addition, 124 of the beds are available at below-market rates to students who demonstrate significant financial need.
The university project to convert the hotel tower into student housing took only nine months from when SJSU began leasing the space in November 2023, with the complex becoming move-in ready for the fall 2024 semester. The university plans to leverage funds from California's Higher Education Student Housing (HESH) grant and CSU systemwide revenue bonds to eventually purchase the building and land.
SJSU President Cynthia Teniente-Matson, center right, and others at the ribbon cutting for the Spartan Village on the Paseo. (Photo courtesy SJSU/Robert Bain)
“The work required to open Spartan Village on the Paseo for our students was herculean and I want to express my deep gratitude to the leaders, staff and workers who literally worked around the clock to make it possible, and to the elected officials who paved the path for us to open this building on time,"
SJSU President Cynthia Teniente-Matson said. “We are offering our students a state-of-the-art residential experience, filling a critical need for affordable housing and injecting downtown San José with vibrancy and energy."
CSU San Marcos
A rendering of CSUSM's University Village Student Success Housing and Dining Project.
Currently under construction, the University Village Student Success Housing and Dining Project at CSU San Marcos will add beds for 550 student residents and feature the university's second dining hall when it is completed. Scheduled to open in summer 2026, the project will establish a first-year residential housing program for CSUSM students, helping them acclimate to university life. As part of this effort, the complex will also host administrative offices, living-learning classrooms, community rooms and space to support basic need programming and staff.
The project is funded in part by $91 million from the 2022-23 state budget. Its groundbreaking in January 2024 came just about a year after the opening of CSUSM's
North Commons, its third housing facility which included its first dining hall.
From left: CSUSM Vice President of Student Affairs Viridiana Diaz, Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services Leon Wyden, President Ellen Neufeldt and former ASI president and CEO Moy Valdez at a ceremonial groundbreaking for the University Village Student Success Housing and Dining Project. (Photo courtesy CSUSM/Alicia Lores)
“We all try every day to remove obstacles our students face in their pursuit of higher education, because worrying about rising rent costs or not knowing where your next meal may come from has an impact on a student's academic and personal success,"
CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt said. “Here at CSUSM, we are dedicated to meeting those basic needs for all our students, and this project is a testament to that commitment."
San Francisco State
Move-in day at San Francisco State's new West Grove Commons residence hall. (Photo courtesy SF State)
San Francisco State's new
West Grove Commons—a six-floor, first-year residence hall—opened in August 2024, adding 751 beds in “pod-style" living environments for student residents. The complex will also include a new building for the Gator Health Center and dining commons, both scheduled to open at the end of February.
The project is supported by $116 million from California's Affordable Student Housing Grant Program. In addition, the grant funds allowed SF State to introduce a new Reduced-Rate Student Housing Program, which provides a 25% reduction in the standard room rate for students who qualify to receive a Cal Grant A or B financial aid award.
“With this project, more students will have access to affordable housing, which is critical here in the Bay Area,"
said Jamillah Moore, SF State vice president of Student Affairs & Enrollment Management. “That's because when students have safe, stable and affordable housing, they are more likely to enroll, excel and graduate."
Cal State Long Beach
A rendering of CSULB's La Playa residence hall.
Cal State Long Beach broke ground on a new five-story residence hall, La Playa, in March 2024—with a scheduled completion by fall 2026. It will feature 424 beds, as well as satellite offices for student support services, three staff/faculty apartments, a multipurpose tutoring area and music practice rooms. In addition, at the time of La Playa's opening, 404 student beds across campus will be set aside for affordable housing.
Funded by California Senate Bill 183 and campus housing funds, the housing project grew out of a partnership between CSULB, the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College and the Long Beach Unified School District called the
Long Beach Housing Promise. The five-year program aims to secure affordable housing for all Long Beach residents.
From left: CSU Trustee Wenda Fong, Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson, CSULB President Jane Close Conoley, CSULB alumnus and U.S. Congressman Robert Garcia and CSULB Executive Director of Housing and Residential Life Corry Colonna at the ceremonial groundbreaking for CSULB's La Playa residence hall. (Photo courtesy CSULB/Sean DuFrene)
“Not only will these beds be more affordable, but it contributes mightily to our students' success,"
said Corry Colonna, CSULB executive director of Housing and Residential Life. “Studies show students who stay on campus tend to have better grades, earn credits more quickly and have an improved overall campus experience."
Fresno State
A rendering of Fresno State's new affordable housing project.
With its first major housing initiative since 1968, Fresno State is building a new affordable student housing complex with 228 apartment-style beds and a mix of one- to four-bedroom units. The university will set aside a portion of the apartments for students with children. To support these residents, the family units will include two bedrooms, a kitchen and a living room as well as child-friendly flooring and furniture. In addition, the building will have an outdoor play structure and a common family gathering area.
Fresno State President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, center, and others at the ceremonial groundbreaking for Fresno State's new affordable housing project. (Photo courtesy Fresno State/Cary Edmondson)
“With the construction of our last new student housing buildings 56 years ago, this project is long overdue,"
Fresno State President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval said. “It's important to recognize the unique challenges these students face on their path to obtaining a transformational college education. Providing affordable housing for student parents is being intentional about student success."
Expected to be completed in summer 2026 with students moving in that fall, the project is funded by an affordable student housing grant and CSU systemwide revenue bonds.
San Diego State
A rendering of SDSU's Evolve Student Housing Project. (Photo courtesy SDSU)
A bold new housing proposal at San Diego State could result in seven new and revitalized residential buildings and one amenities building for student mail, dining and community spaces. The six-phase construction project,
Evolve Student Housing, would be completed in 2030 and would construct 5,220 student beds, a net increase of almost 4,500. While the project would require demolishing several on-campus residence halls, they would be replaced with apartment towers between nine and 13 stories tall.
“Primarily we're in this business because [students] graduate more frequently, they have higher GPAs, they just thrive and succeed better as students when they live with us," Bob Schulz, SDSU associate vice president of real estate, planning and development,
told KPBS.
The proposal is yet to be approved by the CSU Board of Trustees and will be presented in mid-2025.
Read about how the CSU is fighting housing insecurity.