Gender-Inclusive Housing
Gender-inclusive housing is a living option in which USC students can voluntarily opt to live with roommates regardless of gender identity or sex assigned at birth. Traditional housing options that match roommates based on sex assigned at birth can prove unsafe and unwelcoming, particularly for LGBTQ+ individuals. Gender-inclusive housing allows students to live in a supportive environment with other students who have also voluntarily chosen to live in gender-inclusive housing. Gender-inclusive housing is not intended for students with partners or spouses—they are encouraged to apply to Family Housing.
Gender-inclusive housing spaces are located in Cardinal Gardens, Century Apartments, and Cowlings and Ilium Residential College for continuing students and Birnkrant Residential College for first-year students.
If you are interested in living in gender-inclusive housing, please indicate this is the Special Interest section of the online application. When applying, you will be asked to answer additional questions about your interest in the community. Selecting gender-inclusive housing is voluntary.
For additional information please consult the Gender-Inclusive Housing FAQ.
The Rainbow Community (est. 2001) at Birnkrant Residential College and Century Apartments is a living learning community that cultivates interest in LGBTQ+ history, culture, and social and contemporary issues. All rooms in the Rainbow Community are gender-inclusive. First-year students participating in the Rainbow Community live in Brinkrant Residential College and second-year students live in Century Apartments. Voluntary Gender-Inclusive Housing is also available outside the Rainbow Community.
The Rainbow Community is located in Century Apartments and Birnkrant Residential College.
For information on how to apply to live in the Rainbow Community, please consult the USC Housing website.
This program is open to all eligible individuals. All USC Housing and USC Residential Education programs and activities are operated consistent with the University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex*, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor. *In accordance with federal law, the University does provide separate living and bathroom facilities for individuals based on sex/gender. The University also offers voluntary gender-inclusive housing options.
Single Residence
If they choose, trans and nonbinary students can work with USC Housing to advocate for a single room (with a private bathroom) within the University’s Residential Communities.