Panel Discussion: Solutions for Student Housing Affordability

The California housing shortage and its high costs are triggering a ripple effect across different stratums of society, including those who study at places of education. Students are suffering this crisis, with many of them living in hotels or even vehicles. Nearly ten percent of UC Santa Cruz students reported experiencing homelessness, according to a 2020 UC-system survey. Affordable student housing at places of education may be just one part of California’s larger housing crisis, but it is an essential component of creating a more just society, and a highly educated and highly skilled workforce for the future. How have we gotten to this place? What are the challenges to overcome the current regulatory, political, and financial barriers? And what actions or policies are or could be put into effect to solve these challenges? These are some of the questions that will be discussed and analyzed by our panel of experts. Please join us for an evening of discussion, debate, and possibilities for the future that affect your projects, your campuses, and you and your families.

Panelists

Samuel Jones
Executive Director University Housing Services
California State University-Sacramento

Samuel serves as the Executive Director of University Housing Services at California State University, Sacramento. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing housing operations and services for the university’s residential community, which plays a critical part in student life on campus.

A notable initiative under his leadership is a new housing facility currently under construction, which will provide beds for 335 students, with 285 classified as affordable. The project is backed by a large grant from the state higher education housing fund. This effort aligns with broader strategies to offer low-cost housing options for students across the university's residence halls, demonstrating a commitment to easing financial burdens on students through increased affordable accommodations
Michelle Andrews
District Representative
Office of Senator Scott Wiener

Michelle Andrews serves as a District Representative in the Office of Senator Scott Wiener, focusing on key policy areas such as housing, transportation, and public safety. She is particularly known for her advocacy on student housing and homelessness, having played a significant role in advancing Senate Bill 886, which addresses delays in student housing projects while maintaining environmental safeguards. A passionate advocate for social equity, she has been a driving force in shaping policies that promote accessible and affordable housing. Michelle is a proud graduate of UC Davis, where her dedication to public service began.

Sean Falvey
Vice President and Regional Manager of Sundt's Building Group in Northern California
Sundt Construction

With over 20 years of industry experience, Sean has led major student housing developments like the 1,100-bed Hornet Commons at Sacramento State University and the 964-bed Cal Poly Humboldt Craftsman Student Housing project, slated for completion in 2025. Sean and his development teams have a deep knowledge of the economics of construction costs, construction types, and opportunities to optimize cost and value for his clients, especially in the higher education market.

His leadership and operational excellence have earned him recognition as one of ENR California’s Top 20 Under 40 in 2023 and Sacramento Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 in 2019.

Beyond his role at Sundt, Sean is deeply committed to the future of the construction industry. He serves as the 2024/25 Chair of the Construction Education Industry Foundation (CIEF) Board of Trustees and is a member of the AGC of California Delta Sierra District Board, where he advocates for the next generation of construction professionals and advancing industry standards in Northern California.

Zennon Ulyate-Crow
Distributive Organizer
Grassroots Democrats HQ

Zennon recently received a degree in Politics from UC Santa Cruz, and during his years in attendance, he founded and led multiple student housing advocacy groups to success, including UCSC Student Housing Coalition and the statewide Student HOMES Coalition, which bridged the gap between higher education advocacy organizations to work together on housing policy. In his leading role at both organizations, he has written and helped advocate for the passage of six state bills, with four signed into law, including CEQA exemptions for on-campus student housing projects and major reforms to the student housing density bonus.

(Note: This event is located at Gensler, 220 Montgomery St Suite 200, San Francisco, CA 94104)

Host or Publisher Center for A+D