Santa Barbara Student Housing Cooperative (SBSHC)
The Santa Barbara Student Housing Cooperative is a nonprofit, member-run cooperative providing low-cost housing for students attending colleges and universities in Santa Barbara County. We own and operate five houses in Isla Vista, California, where student members live together, share responsibilities, and collectively govern their houses.
A student-run cooperative community. Members are not tenants. They are stakeholders who help run their houses through elected service positions like House Treasurer, Food Shopper, Maintenance Manager, and Garden Manager. Members also share chores, attend house meetings, and participate in quarterly Work Holidays. Beyond the houses, members can join SBSHC committees or the Board of Directors to help guide the broader organization.
Five houses, each with its own character. Biko House is a dedicated safe space for students of color, grounded in racial equity and social justice. Dolores House is vegetarian and vegan, with a focus on ethical and environmentally minded living. Manley House is our first communal house, known for its avocado trees, solar panels, and annual traditions like prom and outdoor movie nights. Merton House is interfaith-themed and also home to the SBSHC central office, library, and auditorium. Newman House is LGBTQ+ affirming, with gardens, a fire pit, and member murals throughout.
Shared meals, shared resources. Most houses run shared food programs funded through General Use Food Funds (GUFF), which cover bulk groceries, house supplies, and home-cooked meals each week. All houses include utilities and free laundry on site.
Open membership and inclusive community. SBSHC welcomes members regardless of gender, race, social, political, or religious affiliation. We work to eliminate prejudice and discrimination in our community and run educational programs that further the principles of cooperation through mutual, self-help living at minimal cost.
The Santa Barbara Student Housing Cooperative (SBSHC) provides low-rent cooperative housing for students attending post-secondary educational institutions in Santa Barbara County.
SBSHC welcomes members regardless of gender, race, social, political or religious affiliation, thereby working to eliminate prejudice and discrimination in our communities. We strive to engage in continuous educational programs that further the principles of cooperation through mutual, self-help living at a minimal cost.
Application process starts in January for the following Summer and School Year. Series of informational sessions, tours, and house events. Room placements announced early February.
Please email or call for a request to visit our co-op.
A few people (not elected by the broader community) make the major decisions.
More than 50% agreement needed.
Members elect leaders who make decisions within defined roles.
Board of directors is one elected representative from each house plus two at large representatives and two community representatives.
Members maintain separate personal finances with minimal sharing.
Regular fees: Yes
Labor: Yes (2 hrs/week)
Members with pre-existing debt: allowed
Common House, Garden(s), Library, Stage or Auditorium, Fire pit, Internet
Connecting people and communities through an intentional online marketplace
A residential project: people live here as their primary home.
An institution, business, network, or project that isn’t a residence (e.g. a learning center, farm, or network with no one living there full-time).
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