College breaks ground on student housing facility

Wave Staff Report

COMPTON — The Compton Community College District has broken ground on an 86,000-square-foot student housing facility.

Many local elected officials attended the Jan. 17 ceremony, including Assemblyman Mike A. Gipson, county Supervisor Holly Mitchell, Compton Mayor Emma Shariff, and representatives for U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters and state Sen. Laura Richardson, all united in their support of this game-changing accomplishment benefitting Compton College students.

“I’m extremely proud of what we have all accomplished together in making the Compton College student housing project come to fruition,” said Andres Ramos, president of the Compton Community College District Board of Trustees. “We hope other California community colleges can use this student housing model to address housing insecurity for their students. 

“The prefabricated modular construction that will be used for this project is a time-saver and can be replicated by other colleges.”

While there are several California community colleges with on-campus student housing in mostly rural areas within the state, Compton College will be the first community college with student housing in Los Angeles County.

The new student housing facility will provide necessary accommodations for Compton College students (both individuals and those with dependents), offering them a place to call home while they pursue their educational goals. The construction project is targeted for completion in summer 2027.

The Compton College student housing facility will be located at the northeast corner of campus. The award-winning architectural design for the project includes two three-story buildings to house affordable student living quarters with 100% occupancy earmarked for eligible low-income students. 

The accommodation will be in the form of two buildings that will provide three types of living configurations: traditional units with access to shared bathrooms and common spaces, semi-suite units with bathrooms and access to common spaces, and studio units for single occupants, for a combined total of 450 student beds, and one residential director studio unit.

“We are extremely grateful for the funding of this $80.3 million project, which was made possible by a grant under California Assembly Bill 183,” said Compton College President Keith Curry in his opening remarks. “This student housing facility represents our commitment to providing a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment where Compton College students can thrive both academically and personally.”

       
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