Living at Cal

Eligibility and Conditions of Tenancy

The University of California offers two Family Student Housing (FSH) sites : Smyth Fernwald and University Village, Albany. Over the years, these sites have become active, supportive communities for students juggling family and educational responsibilities. A month-to-month rental agreement is required.

A resident of FSH must be a registered UC Berkeley student (undergraduate or graduate) and be:

single and living with child(ren) under the age of 18 or dependent minor(s) for at least 50% of the year¹
single and under the age of 18, dependent and living with parent or guardian
single and living with a dependent over the age of 18²
married, partnered or in a committed relationship and living with child(ren) or dependent minor(s)under the age of 18 for at least 50% of the year
couples, married and living with a spouse; or unmarried and living with a partner or couples in a committed relationship without children
single and a graduate or re-entry student

Postdoctoral Fellows and Visiting Scholars (VSPA), with valid UCB ID or LBL ID, are offered apartments when there are no students on the waiting list and only for vacancies in East Village Apartments (EVA), and West Village Apartments (WVA). Click on this link for more information on VSPA registration.

¹ A single-parent or guardian must have custody at least 50% of the year. Proof of custody for biological parents includes a Custody Agreement and/or preschool or school enrollment verification. Proof of custody for non-parent guardianship would include a statement from the biological parents as to how the guardian provides support, an affidavit or a notarized statement of legal guardianship, a Medical Power of attorney, preschool or school enrollment verification.

² Dependent over 18 applies to a parent or child(ren) where the student provides a documented family need (e.g. financial, medical), not just a convenience. Without FSH, the student would be unable to matriculate.

The following guidelines will be observed before an apartment is assigned:

All family members must be in residence from the beginning of tenancy
At least one adult must be registered in a degree program at the University of California at Berkeley
Postdoctoral fellows and visiting scholars, married with or without children, or single parents, with valid VSPA or LBNL verification will be assigned East Village, and West Village apartments in University Village only. Smyth Fernwald is only reserved for students with families.
Persons who have been evicted from Family Student Housing or have previously breached a University rental agreement will be considered unacceptable for future tenancy