SBCC international housing options

Housing Options

SBCC does not offer on-campus housing or housing placement services.
SBCC only provides a list of popular off-campus housing options which you can check out below.  Some students prefer to live with families ("homestay") while others choose to live independently in student residences, apartments or houses.  Read the disclaimers below. Good luck with your search!

Disclaimer 1: SBCC is not responsible for placing students and does not assume or accept any responsibility for inspecting, supervising, or resolving any issues that may arise in the landlord-tenant relationship. Read more about our disclaimer.

Disclaimer 2: SBCC strongly recommends for students under the age of 18 to live with a local host family under the supervision of a responsible adult who is at least 25 years of age until the underage student turns 18. Parents of underage students are solely responsible for making housing decisions and arrangements and ensuring their student's personal safety. SBCC does not assume any responsibility for providing housing assistance and cannot intervene on behalf of students or parents in case of housing disputes. Furthermore, SBCC does not assume any responsibility or liability for the minor student's personal conduct. 

IMPORTANT HOUSING NOTICE: There is currently a housing shortage in the Santa Barbara and Goleta areas. We strongly recommend you to start your housing search upon admission to SBCC and reserve your housing accommodations before your arrival. If you cannot find housing in the SB area before you arrive, please consider deferring your attendance and I-20 to the following term.

Check out descriptions and maps of Santa Barbara area neighborhoods here.

Housing in Santa Barbara has a low vacancy rate, so housing can be expensive. New international students may arrive early to look for housing (up to 30 days before the program start date on your I-20). We recommend you start your search soon after you receive your Offer of Admission email.

1. It's never too early to begin your housing search. Many students begin looking in April or May for fall semester, and November or December for spring semester.

2. A lease is a legal contract to rent property. Carefully read your lease before you sign and make sure you understand the terms of your lease. Here are some useful resources.

3. Beware of scams. Craigslist has some useful tips on this. 

4. Most housing options require a deposit, plus the first and last months’ rent. Most leases are 9-12 month leases. A lease is a contract. If you sign a lease, be prepared to pay your rent for the duration of your lease or work ask your property manager if they will allow a replacement to take over your lease. 

5. If you have questions about your housing rights, or if you have a problem with your landlord that is not easily resolved, check out the City of Santa Barbara Rental Housing Mediation Task Force.

One of our international students, Miriam, talks about her housing experiences and shares tips with you in this video. Thank you Miriam!

Housing Options

Student Room Stay offers SBCC students homestays, off-campus dorms & other off-campus housing options. The homestay matching process can take up to 30 days & there is a one-time $300 matching fee  (subject to change w/out prior notice) required to begin the process. We are able to expedite the matching process though there may be additional fees. Check out their homestay app!

The Coral Group provides homestay options to students studying at SBCC and UCSB. They accept students who are 17+ years of age, and organize social events and volunteer opportunities for the students.
Website: coralgroupsb.com or find them on Facebook.
Email: Kevin Hansen at kevin@coralgroupsb.com or Charlotte at Charlottecoralgroup@gmail.com

Cogito World Education is based in Boston but provides homestay options in the Santa Barbara area. 
Website: www.cogitoworldeducation.org 
Contact: Sylvia Rozwadowska-Shah at info@colibriboston.org  whatsapp at +1 617 301 1237

David Koris Local property manager. Text 805-403-8621. He also posts available rooms on Craigslist.

4Stay Room rental, roommate finder, off-campus housing, homestay. 
Website: https://4stay.com/ 

International Housing Placement Service IHPS provides homestay housing for international students in the U.S.
Website: https://ihpshomestays.com/

There are several student residence buildings and apartments close to SBCC, and others near bus lines in Goleta and Isla Vista. All SBCC students are provided with a bus pass, which allows them to use the public bus system free of charge for the duration of the semester. Be sure to ask if the apartments or rooms are furnished or unfurnished. Many student-centered apartments are furnished.

The Coral Group 
Apartments, cottages, and condos, plus lots of extra services, support, and social events.
coralgroupsb.com
Contact: Kevin Hansen
Email: kevin@coralgroupsb.com 

Student Room Stay offers homestays, off-campus dorms & more.. Check out their app which has information about their dorms, apartments, homestays, events and more: SRS App. Website: go.studentroomstay.com/sbcc

On your SRS application, you may include your preferences for language, country/region, or list specific friends you want to room with. SRS will try to match you. Contact: Desirée Gonzalez, Resident Experience Manager for Santa Barbara/Goleta/Isla Vista
desiree.gonzalez@studentroomstay.com  / 805-837-9265  /  805-837-9265

Find your own roommates/housemates. Click the "SBCC Housing List" button below to find apartments, rooms for rent, students seeking roommates, maps and neighborhood descriptions, bus lines, tips, and more!

SBCC Housing List  

Buena Vista Apartments 
Apartments located near SBCC.
buenavistasantabarbara.com
Email: info@buenavistasb.com

Tropicana Del Norte Residence Hall 
Private student dorms with meal plan options in Isla Vista, near UCSB. 30-45 minute bus ride to SBCC.
tropicanadelnorte.com
Email: leasing@tropicanastudentliving.com

La Brezza Apartments
Apartments located near SBCC.
labrezzaapts.com
Contact: Kevin Hansen                                       
Email: kevin.hansen@rcmi.com

4Stay Room rental, roommate finder, off-campus housing, homestay. 
https://4stay.com/

Meridian Group 
Property management company offering rooms, apartments, and houses for rent in Santa Barbara, Isla Vista, and Goleta.
meridiangrouprem.com

Capri Apartments 
Student housing in apartments in Isla Vista near UCSB.
capriiv.com

ICON and ICON Gardens 
Student residence buildings located in Isla Vista less than 2 blocks from the beach. 
iconapts.com 

Ivy Apartment Homes 
Multiple locations in the Santa Barbara area. 
ivysantabarbara.com

Santa Barbara Rooms 
Furnished student housing near city center. 
sb-rooms.com

Bartlein and Company, Inc. 
Furnished student housing near city center. 
bartlein.com/rentals.html

Social Media Housing pages
Disclaimer: SBCC does not operate, manage, or officially endorse the social media housing pages listed below. "SBCC" is used in the titles in order to draw the attention of SBCC students in the Santa Barbara area, but these are not SBCC-run social media pages. 
Facebook Groups: SBCC Housing and SBCC Student Housing

Instagram: "Sbcc25" - click on "Housing"

Airbnb: Book homes from local hosts
airbnb.com