Undergraduates (International)

Authors: Keileh Feldman, Andres Sabri Gonzales, Isabella Mariani, Itzel Lopez Resendiz, and Madeleine Conte

Abstract

This research project examines the institutional policies that shape international students access to affordable and stable housing in UCSB’s surrounding neighborhood of Isla Vista. While housing insecurity amongst university students is fairly well documented, focused attention on the distinct experiences of international students is limited. When we ignore the unique circumstances that make housing a scarce commodity for these students, the view of housing problems in Isla Vista is skewed and effective solutions are harder to implement.

Some issues that international students face include…

overcrowding, temporary/unstable housing, financial vulnerability, extreme rent burden, and limited housing options as a result of no rental history.

The situation that many of this group experience resembles that of most renters in Isla Vista, yet there exist unique challenges that go overlooked and under-resourced when it comes to the housing inaccessibility and unavailability for International students. A privatized housing market with limited social housing options, combined with a lack of support when it comes to finding housing, only compounds the already vulnerable situation when it comes to housing and securing it long-term

Policies

UCSB Housing Policy
- The UCSB housing policy grants guaranteed housing for incoming first-year and first-year transfer students only. After that year is up, students must look for housing independently or apply for the UCSB housing lottery, which only takes about 40% of applicants. This creates uncertainty and unease as international students not only have to navigate a new country and education system, but a competitive housing market by themselves, many of them barely 20 years old.
Lack of credit score and co-signers
- When one moves abroad, their credit score does not move with them, meaning they have to rebuild their credit score once they move. Many international students also move abroad alone, which does not give them many, if any, options for a co-signer when looking to rent a space. The combination of a lack of built credit score and no cosigner can make it very difficult to rent from private landlords, and international students must pay a higher security deposit, often double the rent, to compensate.
Scarcity and outrageous prices of housing in Isla Vista
- Housing in Isla Vista is not only limited to international students, but also to all students hoping to live close to UCSB. It is a race and competition for all students to apply for off-campus housing, many securing next school year’s housing by the beginning of the calendar year, and rates can be double, triple, or even quadruple the amount of university housing, not including internet or utilities. Housing can be found in downtown Santa Barbara or even up to an hour away in Ventura, but the majority of international students do not have reliable transportation to go back and forth.

What does housing and housing insecurity look like in 2026 for International students?

It can be challenging for international students to find affordable housing, especially with difficulties in demonstrating financial stability or complications with student visas. The same issues that students who are not foreign-born face are only compounded by the extreme rental costs, basic living costs, and academic-related costs. The unique conditions that this group faces only add to the already distressing reality that many face with little relief in sight. Representing a minority of the student body and the general population (~10%), the intensifying issues continue to manifest and jeopardize living in Isla Vista.

Short-Term: Targeted Workshops & Housing Fairs
- Concept: Host specialized workshops and housing fairs tailored to international students.
  - Workshops (led by OISS*, Housing, and property managers) would educate students on U.S. rental practices (leases, tenant rights, credit scores). The fairs would exclusively feature landlords willing to accept non-US co-signers.
- Lead Implementers:
  - OISS (student trust/outreach) and UCSB Housing Department (local connections)
Mid-Term: Host Family / Community Host Program
- Concept: Expand the existing rapid rehousing program by matching students with local hosts (alumni, community members) for temporary stays (up to a month) while they find permanent housing. –
  - Provides safe shelter, emotional support, and local guidance.
- Lead Implementers:
  - OISS, Basic Needs, Alumni Association, and local community groups (ex., churches).
Long-Term: International Student Co-op
- Establish a permanent, affordable, community-oriented housing co-op specifically for international students.
  - Reduces housing insecurity, fosters mentorship, and builds a sustainable community based on shared responsibility.
Lead Implementers:
- OISS (student outreach) and the Santa Barbara Student Housing Cooperative (SBSHC) (property management and co-op expertise).