[Radle]

There's more options for the students to live than this singular building.

There's nothing hindering students from renting an apartment, they don't have to use the 200$ million building.

[Cthulhu_]

Availability, cost. We live in a housing shortage and an era of housing exploitation.

I don't live in the US and don't know the local market, but a quick google says you need at least $2000 a month to get a basic apartment in Santa Barbara: https://www.apartments.com/santa-barbara-ca/. Who has that kind of money, especially combined with a full time education?

Your elitism is showing.

[merrywhether]

So instead of attempting to deliver cheaper dense housing for 5000 students close to campus, we should make a windowed one that houses 3000 and tell the other 2000 to go to Sacramento and start lobbying for new state laws? Or do we instead try to get solutions at multiple scopes and not let perfect be the enemy of good.

[mlac]

Well, in theory increased supply will lower the rents in the surrounding area.

No one will be forced to live there, but that location is a much better alternative than homeless or not.

[dls2016]

There are actually many UCSB students living in hotels due to a severe housing shortage.

[rkk3]

> There's nothing hindering students from renting an apartment

The ridiculous expense because of the acute housing shortage in SB. Which building the largest dorm in the country would help alleviate.

> they don't have to use the 200$ million building

1.5$ Billion Building