Sacramento State University is scheduled to begin construction this fall on additional campus housing for students.
The university says Student Housing III will be a five-story, 97,100 square-foot facility that will have 285 affordable and 40 standard-rate beds. The building is scheduled to open in June 2026.
California’s Higher Education Student Housing Grant Program will cover $41 million of the $69 million project. The program helps colleges and universities provide affordable student housing and beds, at no more than 30-50% of the area median income.
At its July meeting, the California State University Board of Trustees approved the building’s design as well as additional funding, which will include California State University revenue bonds and ongoing housing revenues and campus housing program reserves.
The 335 new beds join the existing 2,100 on campus, which accommodate 7% of the student population. As of May, 600 upper division students were on the housing waiting list.
“Having more students living in the residence halls will help us retain students,” said Samuel Jones, executive director for University Housing Services. “Residence hall students typically have higher GPAs, and the campus will be more vibrant with additional students living on campus.”
The facility’s ground floor will have a recreation room, academic lounge, conference and classroom spaces, gender-inclusive restrooms, a mail room, and support staff apartments. In addition to student housing rooms, the upper four floors will each include a study area, private telehealth or study rooms, a student computer and TV lounge, and a kitchenette.
The building’s exterior will feature plenty of shade trees, study space, room for student programs and recreation, a barbecue area, and outdoor gaming equipment such as ping-pong tables.
The architect is Gensler, and the builder is Brown Construction.
