It is Wednesday, Dec. 3, and today’s edition focuses on college enrollment, housing projects, and the upcoming election.

On Nov. 26, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the construction of 330 affordable units to be built on state property in San Bernardino County.

The state will build 203 affordable units, and two market-rate units, on Department of General Services (DGS) land in San Bernardino, and 127 affordable large-family units and one market-rate unit on Department of Motor Vehicles land in Fontana, Newsom announced. The San Bernardino project will be on 1.9 acres, at the intersection of N. E. St. and W. 5th St, according to the DGS. The Fontana project will be at 16499 Merrill Ave. Both projects will be developed by Homes & Hope, LLC, with two nonprofits: Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation and Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services.

Another 517 units will be built across Napa, Atascadero and Stockton. Newsom’s announcement says that the housing projects should be approved in less than five months.

The projects come from a 2019 order signed by Newsom to build housing on excess state lands. 

“This streamlined process reflects our commitment to making state-owned land readily accessible for affordable housing development,” said HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez.

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The Trump administration sued California last month for providing in-state tuition benefits for foreign students. The suit caused rumors to swirl on social media about the elimination of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). CalMatters’ Adam Echelman and Mikhail Zinstheyn wrote an explainer on what’s still happening with federal assistance to foreign students.

As long as individuals meet certain requirements, such as attending three years of high school in California, they’re eligible for in-state tuition, saving as much as $39,000 each year compared to their out-of-state peers. Once they meet those requirements, students without legal status can also qualify for the state’s cornerstone financial aid program, known as Cal Grant, though only a small fraction of these students actually apply for and receive it. 

Aliza Imran and Kahani Malhotra of CalMatters’ College Journalism Network looked at the impact of mass student visa revocations on foreign college students. They found that the number of international college students is stable—but there is a 17% decline in new foreign enrollment in American universities. 

Over 1.1 million international students studied in the U.S. during the last academic year. Of those students, 12.5% — over 140,000 — studied in California, making it the state with the largest international student population.

Locally, data shows that Cal State San Bernardino has increased its enrollment jumping from 17,900 students last year to 19,049 this term. Their rate of foreign students has increased slightly, to four percent of the enrollment, or 756 students from 729 last year.

In the governor’s race, Stephen Cloobeck dropped out on Monday, endorsing Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Livermore). In September, Cloobeck sued Riverside Sheriff and gubernatorial candidate Chad Bianco for wearing his sheriff’s uniform while campaigning. Cloobeck argued that Bianco broke Government Code Section 3206: No officer or employee of a local agency shall participate in political activities of any kind while in uniform. The case is still active, and a motion for an injunction is scheduled for Jan. 23. 

CalMatters’ Jeanne Kuang has a look at the 10 current candidates for governor.

From CalMatters Director of Membership Sonya Quirk:

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