Long Beach City College Starts $127 Million Housing Project

The 431-bed complex will provide new student housing options and signals upcoming opportunities for local service vendors.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Construction

Long Beach City College Starts $127 Million Housing Project

Live Poll

Should public colleges prioritize building on-campus housing to address student housing insecurity?

Long Beach City College has broken ground on a new $127 million student housing complex located at the intersection of Clark Avenue and Beverly O'Neill Way. The 108,000-square-foot facility is designed to support 431 students and addresses growing local student housing insecurity.

Why it matters

The development signals a shift in institutional infrastructure investment, as local colleges increasingly prioritize on-campus living to mitigate student housing insecurity. This project reflects a significant expansion of facilities funded through voter-approved ballot measures.

The $127 million project covers 108,000 square feet and adds 431 beds to the campus footprint. Funding is sourced from Measure LB, passed in 2016, and Measure AC, passed in 2024.

The players

Long Beach City College

A community college serving the local region that is expanding its capital footprint through voter-supported funding.

Cal State Long Beach

A public university partnering with the college to assist in the facility's ongoing operations.

The details

The facility features studio, single-bed, and double-bed units designed to meet diverse student needs. To minimize neighborhood impact, the architecture is limited to three stories along Clark Avenue. Additionally, designers incorporated lighting controls that restrict illumination to within the property line, reflecting strict community-facing construction standards.

Timeline

  1. 2016: Voters approved Measure LB.

  2. 2024: Voters approved Measure AC.

  3. October 8, 2026: Groundbreaking for the student housing complex.

  4. Fall 2028: Expected project completion.

Market Landscape

This project continues the trend of institutional campus growth enabled by the 2024 Measure AC bond initiative. It reflects a wider local strategy to manage student housing demand through long-term capital investments.

Local contractors and service providers should monitor the procurement and facility management needs of the project as the 2028 completion date approaches. Operators should note the design constraints and lighting mandates, which set a precedent for future institutional projects in the area.

The takeaway

Institutional facility expansion provides a stable, long-term opportunity for regional vendors interested in the education sector. Operators should track the fall 2028 completion timeline to gauge the projected influx of students into the immediate neighborhood.

Further reading

For more updates on regional capital improvements, visit Construction.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Press Telegram.

Live Poll

Should public colleges prioritize building on-campus housing to address student housing insecurity?