SACRAMENTO — California Governor Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 358, the California Community College Housing Act, introduced by Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay). The bill aims to address student homelessness and housing challenges and is the first of Assemblymember Addis’ authored bills to become law.

The California Community College Housing Act will enable community colleges to meet the housing needs of students by exempting architectural plans from mandatory approval by the Department of General Services’ Division of State Architect (DSA). This exemption will create parity with faculty campus housing, facilitating the expansion of housing supply at community colleges.

Assemblymember Addis expressed her excitement, stating, “I am thrilled that Governor Newsom has signed the California Community College Housing Act. Housing insecurity is a worsening and pervasive problem across our campuses. This bill will help boost the housing supply at our community colleges, providing much-needed housing to thousands of students across the state.”

The bill is set to become law on January 1, 2024, marking a step forward in addressing student housing challenges and supporting those affected by housing insecurity within the community college system.