UC Santa Cruz says they will increase student housing by 40 percent by end of decade

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV)- A long-term housing project for UC Santa Cruz students and faculty will be moving forward.

A university spokesperson confirmed to KION that they will increase student housing by 40 percent through 2030.

During an April 30th council meeting, the Santa Cruz City Council confirmed the necessary changes to move the project forward.

The new housing project will be for 400 upper-division undergraduate students and more than 60 employees. The housing project will be within walking distance of campus and direct bus routes.

“I think it’s definitely needed, it’s really unfortunate because as i'm heading towards the end of my first year I know a lot of people that weren’t able to get housing and now they’re really struggling to find housing off campus," Julianna Fierio a first year student at UCSC said.

The apartment complex will be near the intersection of Delaware Avenue and Swift Street close to the Coastal Science campus, Westside Research park and the Institute of the Arts and Science.

Pending final approval, construction is expected to start this summer and be completed by fall of 2026.