Gender-Inclusive Housing
Gender-inclusive housing is a living option in which USC students can 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. The gender-inclusive housing option allows students to live in a safe and supportive environment.
Gender-inclusive housing spaces are located in Cardinal Gardens and Century Apartments.
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.
For additional information please consult the Gender-Inclusive Housing FAQ.
The USC Office of Residential Education’s Rainbow Floor (est. 2001) is a special interest residential community for LGBTQ+ students. The Office for Residential Education sponsors community-based programming here that allows students to learn more about themselves and their LGBTQ+ identities and make meaningful friendships. The USC LGBTQ+ Student Center, in partnership with Residential Education, assists in approval and placement of Rainbow Floor residents. On the Rainbow Floor, students can room with friends regardless of sexuality or gender identity as all of the apartments are gender-inclusive. The Rainbow Floor offers both a first-year floor and a 2nd year+ floor.
The first-year Rainbow Floor is located in Birnkrant and the 2nd-year+ Rainbow Floor is located in Century Apartments.
For information on how to apply to live on the Rainbow Floor, please consult the USC Housing website.
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.