The San Mateo Community College District is constructing a 316-bed student housing complex on the College of San Mateo campus.
WHAT:
San Mateo Community College District (SMCCCD) will break ground on its approved student housing project on April 27th, advancing efforts to address college student housing insecurity. Since 2020, the District has strategically invested time and resources to compete for and secure state funding for its students across its three campuses (Cañada College, College of San Mateo, Skyline College). The project grant application was submitted in late 2022 and ranked fifth among 21 community college districts statewide, earning funding in the 2023-2024 state budget.
The $86 million project includes $67 million in state funding and $19 million in local District funds. After completion in 2028, the District will be able to provide secure below-market-rate housing, along with access to health counseling, a basic needs food pantry, and other essential resources for its students to succeed academically.
“Our students cannot succeed in the classroom if they are worried about where they will sleep at night. This housing project is about more than beds; it’s about dignity, stability, and opportunity,” said Melissa Moreno, J.D., SMCCCD Chancellor. “By providing safe, affordable on-campus housing alongside support services, we are helping students stay on track.”
The groundbreaking marks a major milestone in the District’s ongoing commitment to advancing equity, expanding access, and supporting the educational and career goals of its students. SMCCCD continues to remove barriers and create pathways for student success across San Mateo County.
WHY:
San Mateo County College District serves over 30,000 students, many of whom face significant economic challenges, with 29 percent being low-income and 58 percent experiencing some type of housing insecurity, according to a 2018 Districtwide survey. In one of the most expensive housing markets in the nation, the lack of affordable housing continues to be a hurdle to student success, with many students considering leaving school due to rising housing costs.
WHEN:
Monday, April 27, 2026
9:00 AM
WHERE:
College of San Mateo
1700 W Hillsdale Blvd, San Mateo, CA 94402
Event: Parking Lot B (entrance on the east side)
Parking: Parking Lot A
Campus Map
MEDIA CONTACT: David McLain, Community & Government Relations, SMCCCD, (650) 730-8049 or mclaind@smccd.edu.
About San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCCD): SMCCCD operates three colleges, Cañada College, College of San Mateo, and Skyline College, that provide community college educational services to the residents of San Mateo County. The District’s colleges serve over 30,000 students annually and offer the first two years of college-level instruction in various transfer and career-technical programs. The District is governed by a six-member Board of Trustees, with five voting members elected by voters from designated areas of the County and one nonvoting student member elected by students. For more information, see: smccd.edu.