Student-run co-ops provide affordable housing at UC Berkeley

"I just have this vivid memory (of) when I went to tell my parents how much (housing) was going to cost, and they kind of turned the question back to me, Where are we going to get this money from?' said Macias-Gomez, a recent graduate. Rather than burden his parents with debt or take out a loan like many others have, he opted to move into Cloyne Court, a student housing cooperative."

"The co-op has more than 1,300 student members in its 17 houses and three apartment buildings, all of which are democratically run and maintained by students. Most of the houses are owned by BSC; however, it leases some properties, such as Cloyne Court, The Convent, and the land where Fenwick Weavers and Rochdale apartments are located, from the university. The nonprofit is affiliated with NASCO, a larger alliance of housing cooperatives in North America with 35 registered co-op systems."

UC Berkeley students can choose the Berkeley Student Cooperative as an affordable third housing option besides dorms or off-campus rentals. The co-op serves more than 1,300 members across 17 houses and three apartment buildings that students democratically run and maintain. Some properties are owned by the cooperative while others are leased from the university, including Cloyne Court and The Convent. Rents are charged semesterly and typically run lower than campus dorms and average city apartments. The nonprofit affiliates with NASCO, and several UC campuses host similar co-ops. Several houses center around themes to foster community among residents with shared identities.

Read at www.berkeleyside.org