In this video, we introduce our NEW 2023 Housing Educational Campaign and we discuss Housing & Identity! 

Now although vacancies in Multi-Family apartments are seeing a slight increase, it still does not align with the vast demand of all of San Diego. Pause here to review San Diego market data for this year, in the graphic above.

The purpose of this campaign continues to be to provide our UC San Diego student’s with relevant resources and knowledge as it relates to housing. This specific series will identify various barriers that student communities often navigate through, uplift existing resources, and give a platform to the varying strategies that assists with equitable access to housing. 
This series will center the following: resources for students who may be undocumented, international, LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and commuter affiliated. Now although we are centering these communities, it does not necessarily mean that these strategies are limited to these experiences. These resources and narratives were gathered in collaboration with various resource centers on-campus who continue to do this work every day! 

We are not attempting to speak for these communities, we simply recognize our responsibility to elevate intentional educational materials. 

Since the housing market has such a large demand and minimal supply, it allows property management companies and landlords the unfortunate power and opportunity to not center the needs of possible tenants. 

• This only furthers the opportunity for things such as: racial bias, race and class discrimination, Xenophobia, and overall predatory practices to occur - especially to our most vulnerable populations. 
• Racial Bias/Discrimination can be experienced from as early as when you are attempting to tour a listing and through personal experiences with landlords. The 2022 Fair Housing Trend Report identified discrimination based on race made up around 19% of all complaints. 
• A sense of othering can also occur through xenophobic and homophobic forms of communication between possible tenants and landlords. Preparatory practices could also be used as a way to exploit students through higher rental rates than asking price, low quality listings being offered, and other experiences that will be named through this series. 

Since we know that these unjust issues can occur, we can attempt to reclaim our power in these situations by leaning on the support of various campus resources and truly understanding your rights as a tenant.

By having a deep understanding of these common issues, we can lean into intentional first time renters education in order to hopefully make this process smoother for our students. Come back next week where we will be centering resources for undocumented students.

 In this video, we discuss Undocumented Students & Housing! 

When it comes to leaning on community and you’re unsure of where to start, consider Undocumented Student Services. Their holistic approach to serving their students is made apparent through resources like: their Housing Brochure highlighting navigational tools, free immigration consultations and case representation, and their Immigration Stability Support Fund for funding support. Additionally, their PACE Fellowship Programs provides experiential learning opportunities and a quarterly scholarship for students without work authorization.

In this video, we discuss International Students & Housing!

We recommend incoming first years apply to on-campus housing ensuring you apply by the priority deadline and, potentially, ERC’s I-House as a way to build community with other international students and meet potential roommates.

• The Off-Campus Housing website is solely for UCSD affiliates. You can login with your PID if you are a UCSD student, faculty, or staff. This log-in requirement assists in creating a safer platform.
  • As for assistance with getting connected to properties, make sure to check out hugsintl.com. Created by a UCSD international alum, HUGS serves international students looking for off-campus housing through payment security, listing and transaction verification, and a HUGS score equivalent to a U.S. credit score.
• This process seems overwhelming, but there are both on campus and off campus resources dedicated to answer questions and offer assistance. Our International Students & Programs Office (ISPO), for example, offers a breakdown of common housing terms, homestay programs, and scam education. 
  • Wish to get connected with your peers for any direct questions or to further understand the trends in San Diego? Contact the International Student Advisory Council, a team made up of international students, student leaders, and campus organizations! 
  • For further breakdown of what to prepare for your housing search, things to consider, and the actual search check out our International Faculty & Scholars Office. 

In this video, we discuss LGBTIA+ Students & Housing! 

• It is absolutely crucial to review the Fair Housing Act and know your rights as a tenant in the circumstance that one does face housing discrimination. Through renter’s education, you’ll learn how to protect yourself from potential unlivable situations. If you believe your rights may have been violated, we encourage you to submit a complaint through hud.gov as soon as possible.
  • Additionally, if you ever find yourself in need of food or finances, on-campus organizations including Mutual Aid UCSD and the Dollar Lunch Club provide mutual aid through a wide array of resources. Both of these amazing student collectives serve their campus community through networks of reciprocity and redistribution so make sure to check them out!
  • Separately, we recommend incoming first years apply to on-campus housing by the priority deadline and, potentially, HDH Living Learning Communities such as Gender Inclusive Housing and the LGBTQIA+ LLC as a way to build community with other like-minded students and meet potential roommates.
• When it comes to leaning on community and you’re unsure of where to start, consider the LGBT Resource Center. Whether attending one of their events or simply stopping by at the center, you can rest assured that you’ll be met with acceptance and care. QTPOC, their student-run organization, also creates a safe space to socialize around other LGBTQIA+ students of color.
  • Similarly, the Cross-Cultural Center’s Trans and Gender Diverse Group as well as their Coming Out Group are two discussion groups that not only foster open discussion but a sense of belonging among fellow peers. 
  • Another on-campus resource we wish to elevate is Student Legal Services. If you have any questions around the legalities of renting, please schedule a consultation to review your lease or rights as a tenant with a staff member!

 In this video, we center common housing experiences felt by UCSD’s students of color and sharing recommendations. Let’s begin!

• We encourage students to have a deep understanding of their Rights as a Tenant. This includes knowing what you are responsible for as a tenant and California laws as it relates to rent, terminations, security deposits, and more.
  • To assist with other financial matters, we recommend reviewing the Mutual Aid options that were presented in the last video. 
  • For community building and living options, HDH has different Learning Living Communities such as the African Black Diaspora LLC, Raza LLC, Muli-Cultural LLC, and more! For Grad Family Housing, there is a Black Graduate Excellence LLC.
  • To further community, there are a plethora of opportunities through student-led organizations, cultural based fraternities and sororities, and various identity-based resource centers. 
• Whether it be the Black Resource Center, Intertribal Resource Center, Asian Pacific Islander Middle Eastern American Programs and Services, Cross-Cultural Center, Raza Resource Centro, and more! These centers have committed staff, services, and programs that offer opportunities for student connection, academic success, and support with overall well-being.

In this video, we center common housing experiences felt by UCSD’s commuter students and sharing recommendations. Let’s go!

• We recommend considering your commute before making any selections, ultimately being beneficial both from a cost and quality of life perspective. Meaning, incorporating the time it takes to get to campus, home, and any other responsibilities such as work. Not sure where to start? Check out the “Plan Your Commute” tool on the Off-Campus Housing website to review transit-efficient locations!
• If you own a car, you’ll also want to think about the time it takes to find parking after reviewing on or off-campus parking options. If you don’t have access to a car, we highly suggest finding housing near different transit options such as the Blue Line Trolley or MTS bus routes. Remember that as a UCSD student, your quarterly PRONTO Passes grant you access to these services for free. 
• Wish to get connected to fellow commuters? Join a Commuter Club and pop into different social events such as cooking classes, study jams, game nights, and more! As a commuter, it’s easy to fall into the routine of going to class and coming straight home. However, don’t forget to build in time for fostering connections within your campus community as well! 
• Lastly, don’t be afraid to use the commuter amenities located in Price Center including the commuter lounge, kitchen, fridge, and lockers!
• Although this process may seem overwhelming, there are several on-campus resources that offer assistance to commuter students such as Transportation Services, Triton Commuter Club, AS Office of Food & Housing Resources, and the AS Office of Transportation & Transformation. Whether through Triton Transit or the PRONTO Pass, discounts on commuting essentials, or educational guides around different areas of transportation, you can count on them! 
• Another on-campus resource you can trust is Student Legal Services. If you have any doubts around the legalities of renting, please schedule a consultation to review your lease or your rights as a tenant with a staff member!