Housing and Homelessness

Basic Needs Center
The Basic Needs Center acts as a virtual and physical hub that provides and connects students to essential services that impact health, belonging, and overall well-being. The Basic Needs Center provides education, prevention and emergency relief programs in the core areas of basic needs: food security, housing security and  financial stability. All enrolled students including undergraduate, graduate, international, and undocumented students are eligible for Basic Needs Center programs and services. Students can access support from our team by completing our Assistance Form.

Berkeley Homeless Coordinated Entry System for Homeless Services (The Hub)
Phone: 866-960-2132 | 1901 Fairview St, Berkeley, CA 94703 (at Adeline St)
Hours: M-F 9am-12pm and 1-4pm

City of Berkeley homeless services, emergency shelter, transitional housing, and other homeless housing resources are accessed through a central coordinated system called The Hub. Services and housing in Berkeley are prioritized for individuals and families who have been homeless for long periods of time and have high service needs. Hub staff will perform an assessment to determine which services and housing clients may be eligible for.

Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board
Phone: (510) 981-7368 | Email: rent@cityofberkeley.info | 2125 Milvia Street

The Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board regulates residential rent increases in the City of Berkeley, works to protect unwarranted rent increases and evictions, and works to provide a fair return to property owners. The Board works to ensure compliance with legal obligations relating to rental housing and to advance the housing policies of the city with regard to low and fixed-income persons, minorities, students, disabled individuals, and the elderly.

Cal Housing
2610 Channing Way, #2272 | 510-642-4108 | reshall@berkeley.edu

Cal Housing has everything you need to know about selecting, applying for, and moving in/out of student housing. Cal Housing also manages a rental-listing service called CalRentals, providing information and advising for students, faculty and staff, and UC Berkeley affiliates looking for off-campus housing. (also see Residential Life below).

City of Berkeley - Information Network

The Berkeley Information Network is a database of community resources managed by the City of Berkeley Public Library, including local organizations, agencies, services, non-profits and clubs, in and around Berkeley. It also includes information on museums, disability services, low-cost legal aid, recycling, schools, emergency dental referrals, parks, summer camps, senior resources, job lines, consumer groups, and more.

Emergency Housing
UC Berkeley Basic Needs Center

The Basic Needs Center’s emergency housing program provides short-term emergency housing to students who find themselves without housing or who are faced with the loss of housing. The program is free of charge to enrolled students and provides emergency housing up to 30 days dependent on the student need and availability of units. For students who are at risk of losing housing due to not being able to pay their rent, the emergency rental assistance program provides up to one month’s rent to students in need. Students can access emergency housing during business hours, Monday to Friday 9am-5pm by speaking with a team member at the front desk of the Basic Needs Center or by emailing basicneedssupport@berkeley.edu.

Emergency Rental Assistance
UC Berkeley Basic Needs Center | basicneedssupport@berkeley.edu

The Basic Needs Emergency Rental Assistance program may provide partial financial support for students who need assistance paying rent. This program is available to currently enrolled UC Berkeley undergraduate and graduate students who are facing severe housing insecurity. Students may be required to submit additional documentation, attend an in‐person or telephone meeting, and/or attend a follow‐up session with Basic Needs counseling. Complete the application or email basicneedssupport@berkeley.edu

Housing Security Deposit
Financial Aid & Scholarships Office | 120 Sproul Hall

The Housing Security Deposit Award program may provide partial or full financial support to enrolled students who need assistance in paying security deposits to secure off‐campus or on‐campus housing. This program is available to UC Berkeley undergraduate and graduate students who are facing severe housing insecurity. Students may be required to submit additional documentation, attend an in‐person or telephone meeting, and/or attend a follow‐up session with Basic Needs counseling. Complete the form and schedule an in-person appointment with the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office.

Residential Life
- Contact Residential Life Staff

Residential Life manages UC Berkeley’s living/learning communities, where students participate in events, build lifelong friendships, build leadership skills, work, play, and get academic support to keep you on the road to graduation and success. Residential Life also administers the Residential Code of Conduct. (also see Cal Housing above)