New student housing is taking shape at Cabrillo College, bringing 647 beds and new amenities to the Aptos campus. Here’s what students need to know about the project and how to stay updated.

Cabrillo College is moving closer to opening its new Costa Vista student housing community, a first-of-its-kind partnership with UC Santa Cruz that will bring hundreds of students closer to campus.

Cabrillo expects the new student community to bring more foot traffic to nearby businesses in Aptos, Soquel, Capitola, and surrounding areas as students and their families spend more time in the community.

The college opened resident applications Aug. 3, and construction reached a major milestone Aug. 26 when crews topped out the buildings. On Sept. 1, Cabrillo hosted an open house at the project’s leasing office with college and community leaders.

Construction is expected to wrap up in summer 2027. Students interested in living at Costa Vista can sign up for project updates at LiveCostaVista.com.

647 beds, shared between Cabrillo and UC Santa Cruz students

The 257,000-square-foot housing community will include 647 beds, with 60% reserved for Cabrillo College students and 40% for UC Santa Cruz students.

The development will offer more than just housing. Plans include a childcare facility, grab-and-go food space, study areas, a rooftop garden, a promenade and additional spaces designed for students to gather and connect.

Students must meet eligibility requirements, including low-income status, enrollment in at least 12 units per term and good academic standing.

Bringing students closer to campus

Many Cabrillo and UC Santa Cruz students commute throughout Santa Cruz and Monterey counties. By providing more affordable housing near campus, Costa Vista aims to help students spend less time commuting while addressing the region’s ongoing housing challenges.

The project will also improve transit access. A Metro bus stop will move to better serve Costa Vista residents, making it easier for students to get around without relying on cars.

A first-of-its-kind California partnership

Costa Vista marks the first student housing collaboration between a California Community College and the University of California to be built on a community college campus.

The project relies primarily on State of California student housing grant funds, with the remaining costs covered through private financing that will be repaid through housing revenue. Cabrillo College’s general fund and local bond tax revenues are not funding construction.

Donors and grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Uplift and Monterey Peninsula Foundation are funding the childcare facility.

Cabrillo has credited affordable housing advocates and state and university leaders — including former Cabrillo College President Matthew Wetstein, UC Santa Cruz Chancellor Cynthia Larive, state Sen. John Laird, Congressman Jimmy Panetta, the California Department of Finance, California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and University of California Office of the President — for helping move the project forward.

Want to follow Costa Vista as construction continues? Sign up for updates at LiveCostaVista.com.