Long Beach City College to Build Student Housing
The planned four-story complex in North Long Beach would add 22 units near a vacant lot at 59th Street and Atlantic Avenue.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Higher Education
Long Beach City College plans a four-story student housing development with 22 individual units on a vacant lot at 59th Street and Atlantic Avenue in North Long Beach. The project also includes two classrooms in a separate structure and is funded through Measure LB and AC along with $1 million in federal funding.
Why it matters
The project would expand housing options for students at the college's North Long Beach campus area. Its smaller scale compared with the $127-million Liberal Arts Campus housing complex reflects a more modest approach to student housing in the city.
The project includes 22 units across four stories and was reported in 2024 to have a $32 million budget. Federal funding of $1 million is part of the funding mix, but the extraction does not address whether the budget has changed since then.
The players
Long Beach City College
A public community college in Long Beach, California, serving students across the city and surrounding areas.
KB Home
A major American homebuilder whose Rhythm development sits across Atlantic Avenue from the planned student housing site.
The details
The planned development would sit on a vacant lot next to the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library, across Atlantic Avenue from Rhythm, a KB Home housing development. A community meeting on September 22 provided new details on the plans.
Timeline
September 22: Community meeting provides new details on the project.
2024: Project reported to have a $32 million budget.
December 2027: Construction is projected to begin.
Fall 2029: Construction is projected to be complete.
Culture Shift
The North Long Beach plan is smaller than the $127-million Liberal Arts Campus housing complex, which offers more than 400 beds. The contrast points to how Long Beach City College is scaling student housing to different sites.
Students considering Long Beach City College should note that the housing is not expected to open until construction finishes around Fall 2029. Those planning to enroll in the near term will need to look at existing housing options in the meantime.
The takeaway
Student housing projects of this kind take years from planning to completion, so prospective students should plan around timelines rather than current availability. Following local community meetings can provide the most current updates on design and funding.
What happens next
Construction is projected to begin in December 2027 and conclude by Fall 2029.
Further reading
For more on campus life and enrollment trends, explore Higher Education coverage in Long Beach.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Urbanize LA.
