NORWALK – To tackle the persistent problem of student homelessness, Cerritos College is seeking state grant funding to build affordable on-campus student housing through the Higher Education Student Housing Grant Program.

In addition to its request for nearly $70 million in grant dollars, the Cerritos College Board of Trustees is also contributing $12 million to ensure the District’s bid for funding is competitive.

If accepted, the combined funding will be used to build an $80-million student housing project that features about 400 affordable beds by 2026. The complex will be located along Studebaker Road, directly across from the college’s Health Science Building.

Cerritos College is widely known for its pioneering efforts on affordable student housing. In 2020, the college opened The Village, California’s first community college housing development exclusively for students facing homelessness.

The Village serves 28 students; however, additional housing support is needed as more than 50 percent of Cerritos College students were reported to face housing insecurity and had difficulty paying rent or a mortgage, according to the 2019 #RealCollege Survey.

If the college’s student housing grant application is approved, the District can offer below-market-rate housing units at $717 per bed, including utilities.

“Home insecurity among students is increasing statewide, but above all, L.A. County’s typical rent for a one-bedroom apartment is among the highest, costing up to $1,800 per month. We must eliminate the burden our students face of paying for expensive rent and provide them with a safe and secure living environment, which ultimately will lead them to complete their educational goals on time,” said Cerritos College President/Superintendent Dr. Jose L. Fierro.

Cerritos College continues to offer innovative student support services. In addition to The Village, the campus opened the Falcon’s Nest, a centralized network of resources that provides students with basic needs support, including food, clothing, and hygiene. The College also launched its Metro GoPass program, which provides students with a free transit pass.

“Addressing the basic needs of our students is a major goal for the Board of Trustees, and that includes housing students who face homelessness,” echoed Cerritos College Board President Dr. Shin Liu. “Having more affordable student housing is crucial so students can focus on getting their education and building their future.”