San Mateo community college district breaks ground on first-ever student dorm

More than a century after its founding, the San Mateo County Community College District broke ground this week on its first-ever student dormitory, set to open in fall 2028.

But that may be too late for Jemeir Buckner, the kind of student it’s meant to serve.

“Living out here has been a struggle because the Peninsula is just extremely expensive,” said Buckner, a College of San Mateo football player who grew up about 70 miles away in Vacaville. He picks up DoorDash and Instacart work, but still can’t afford rent. He couch-surfs and sometimes sleeps in his car. “I’m drained. … I can’t stay focused in class.”

He’s far from alone. A survey conducted in 2020 by the district found that 58% of students are housing insecure, and roughly 1 in 8 have experienced homelessness. In San Mateo County — where the cost of living is more than 2 1/2 times the national average — nearly half of students say housing costs are pushing them to consider leaving school.

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