Jennifer Rand

Oct 1, 1982 vol. 14 #2

Students Scramble for Housing

Too old, too young, or too male, are just a few of the all too common rejections ringing in the ears of many students in search of housing.

The beginning of each school year gives birth to a swarm of students in desperate pursuit of a place to live. They scramble to the four minute limit phone located next to the office to investigate the possibilities.

THE DEMAND FOR housing greatly exceeds the number of living situations in Santa Barbara, particularly at the beginning of the college year when students are returning from summer vacation or have moved from another area and are faced with a limited amount of time in which to get settled.

As a result, sub-leasers, those who rent rooms in their houses, are able to discriminate against prospective tenants, and landlords are able to raise rents.

“The young people are the noisiest and most inconsiderate,” said Barbara Miller, former manager of Los Patios Apartments. “I have had a lot of problems with 20-year-olds coming in and out at all hours with their friends and causing disturbances for the rest of the tenants who are entitled to their peace and quiet.”

“MANY LANDLORDS are concerned about students because they tend to all leave at once, and they can’t afford to have the whole building empty at once,” explained a rental listing service manager who did not want to have his name revealed.

If a student does not fit into either of these categories, there is still another, reverse discrimination against males. Along with these, a student may be ineligible if he or she is a smoker.

A ROOM IN A HOUSE costs between $200 and $350. Many students have trouble paying for anything more costly.

If a student cannot find housing through Santa Barbara City College at the Student Activities Office, or the Placement Office located in the student Services Building there is another alternative. There are several agencies in town that offer listings of apartments for a fee of $30 or $40 depending on the agency.

-Jennifer Rand, former

Channels staff writer.

Originally published on

Oct. 1, 1982 Vol. XXIX #2