Funding for the partnership has been approved by the state, with $111.7 Million guaranteed in equal payments over the next 30 years, and the remainder financed through bonds issued for the project.

The designs for the Cabrillo-UCSC Housing project will be approved by the Division of State Architect (DSA). This state approval is necessary in order to have some instruction in the proposed complex, such as Early Childhood Education and occasional classes in a planned community room. DSA approval can take up to nine months for a complex project.

The expected groundbreaking date is planned for fall 2025. Meeting this deadline requires an aggressive schedule of architectural designs and construction drawings, timely approval of the drawing by the DSA, and timely delivery of state revenue to fund the project.

The current schedule calls for completion of the project in early fall 2027.

To live in the residence hall, students will need to meet state requirements, which include low-income status, enrolling in 12 units or more each term, and remaining in good academic standing. The housing program will give first priority to students who are homeless, transitioning from foster care, and veterans in need of housing.

The project envisions a total of 624 beds. Sixty percent (60%) or 376 beds will be designated for Cabrillo students and 40% (248 beds) will be designated for UCSC students. This reflects the distribution of funding pledged to the project by the state for low income students.

Yes, if they want to. UCSC will determine the specific students that are housed at the Cabrillo campus, and the intent of the project is to foster seamless and easy transfer between Cabrillo and UCSC. In that sense, continuous residence at the same housing site may be a benefit for students intending to transfer to UCSC.

The housing project will have minimal overall traffic impacts, and is likely to reduce overall vehicle trip miles for students commuting to the Cabrillo campus. This is because roughly 300 students who would normally be traveling to campus by car will no longer need to do so. Additionally, the college uses a $40 transportation fee to provide free bus service on Santa Cruz METRO. There may be traffic impacts between Cabrillo and UCSC for upper-division students, however UCSC students can use Santa Cruz METRO for free as well.

The college has reviewed proposals from four project development teams. The selection of a project developer will be approved by the Board of Trustees at its November 4, 2024 meeting.

The college and the developer will enter into a contract with a nonprofit housing provider, The Collegiate Housing Foundation. CHF has experience operating residence halls and dormitories throughout the U.S.