Student Housing
PLTS of Cal Lutheran provides state-of-the art student housing for PLTS students at heavily subsidized rates. This phenomenal discount from local housing market rates makes residential seminary preparation financially accessible in the Bay Area.
The Overture Apartments
The Overture Apartments are unfurnished apartments. The apartments are 4 blocks from PLTS, the Downtown Berkeley BART station, and the thriving civic and social life of Berkeley.
Single and Family options are available. Rent includes water, sewer, trash, and recycling.
Student residents are responsible for electricity and gas.
Amenities
- Onsite card and app operated laundry
- Bike storage
- Rooftop garden with gas grill
- Workout room
- Community spaces
Learn more!
This quick guide answers frequently asked questions. For complete information about processes, policies, and procedures related to student housing, please consult the Student Housing webpages.
Do rates, deposits, and fees stay the same throughout my program?
Rates, deposits, and fees are subject to annual increases. New fees may be added
to address changed and new situations and needs.
Can I select my apartment?
Due to limited student housing availability and the goal of Residence Life to house
all students who apply, requests for a specific apartment or specific apartment features
cannot be accepted. Students do have the opportunity, however, to rank their preference
for apartment size when they apply for housing, and Residence Life does its best to
align assignments with ranked preference.
What if I live with a disability?
Residence Life will work to reasonably accommodate requests for apartment features
specified in a letter of accommodations from Disability Support Services (DSS). Please begin DSS registration as soon as possible to expedite the accommodations process.
Do I need a car?
Students have many options for getting around Berkeley and the Bay Area. PLTS is
centrally located in vibrant metropolitan Downtown Berkeley, a thirteen minute BART
ride to Downtown Oakland and thirty minute BART ride to downtown San Francisco. Most,
if not all, daily errands can be accomplished without a car. Ride share and car share
options can be utilized for travel to Ministry in Context sites in the wider Bay Area.
Most students will need a car while on internship. Internship sites provide housing
for interns. Students on internship are not eligible to live in student housing.
Is there parking?
The Overture Apartments have limited parking for a monthly fee. A student interested
in being assigned onsite parking should apply for parking as part of their student
housing application. Assignment to onsite parking is not guaranteed due to the limited
number of spaces.
Is a family eligible for student housing?
Families are eligible for family student housing. Eligible family members include:
- A student's minor child(ren)
- A student's spouse or partner
Are pets allowed?
Student residents may have a maximum of two pets. Only common household pets are
permitted. A common household pet is defined as a domesticated dog, cat, fish or
bird that is traditionally kept in the home for pleasure rather than commercial or
other purposes. Fish aquariums of 25 gallons or less are exempt from the pet policy.
Can I stay in the same apartment throughout my program?
Residence Life attempts to assign students to the same apartment each year. This
attempt is dependent on availability. Being housed in the same apartment each year
is common but cannot be guaranteed.
Can I store my furniture and belongings in my apartment while away over summer for
CPE?
Yes. Beginning in Summer 2022, Residence Life has implemented a summer storage "Lock
& Leave" option. Students who choose this option pay a set storage fee for the summer
to leave their belongings in their apartment.
Can I extend into summer if I will be going out on internship the next academic year?
The granting of an extension into summer may be available depending on student housing
availability. If granted, extensions are to July 31.
Can I stay over summer if I am in CPE or otherwise in program and in Berkeley?
Staying over summer may be available depending on student housing availability.
Incoming students are encouraged to apply for student housing as part of their admission process. Continuing students must apply for student housing each year. Consult deadlines for more details. If you have specific questions about student housing please contact Residence Life.
| Options, Deposits, Fees | Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Single Small Studio (<450 sq ft) | $10,330 | 9 months |
| Single Medium Studio (450-500 sq ft) | $10,430 | 9 months |
| Single Large Studio (>500 sq ft) | $10,520 | 9 months |
| One Bedroom | $11,590 | 9 months |
| Family Two Bedroom | $15,630 | 9 months |
| Housing Deposit (payable as part of application) | $500 | |
| Pet Deposit (payable as part of application) | $500 |
Summer rates are the rates of the previous academic year. For extensions into summer, the charge will be prorated weekly. For stay over the entire summer, the charge will be semesterly.
A limited number of parking spaces are available for a monthly fee.
All options, rates, deposits, and fees are subject to change without notice. The University reserves the right to change, delete or add to this option and pricing schedule as deemed appropriate. Enrollment in future terms will be placed on hold, a notation of balance owed will be placed on transcript, and diploma will not be released for any student who has an outstanding balance owed to Cal Lutheran.
PLTS is accepting GTU affiliated student housing applications for the 2024-2025 school year. PLTS seminary students and GTU Common MA PLTS affiliated students receive first priority for PLTS housing. If you are a GTU doctoral student, GTU Common MA student affiliated with another member school, or a seminary student at another GTU member school, you may submit a PLTS housing application and enter our housing waitlist. GTU student housing applicants will be contacted mid-summer regarding availability.
Note (05/01/2023): Currently our anticipated GTU housing availability is for our studio apartments. Students may live in studio apartment housing with a partner/spouse.
For more information about GTU affiliate housing rates in PLTS housing or about our waitlist, please email housing@plts.edu
No Car. No Problem.
Students have many options for getting around Berkeley and the Bay Area. PLTS is
centrally located in vibrant metropolitan Downtown Berkeley, a thirteen minute BART
ride to Downtown Oakland and thirty minute BART ride to downtown San Francisco.
The Overture Apartments location is labeled a Walker’s and Biker’s Paradise by WalkScore.com. Most, if not all, daily errands can be accomplished without a car.
As a member of the Green Seminary Initiative, PLTS encourages everyone to utilize varieties of personal, public, and shared transportation options as a way to honor God’s creation.
Parking at The Overture Apartments
The Overture Apartments have limited parking for a monthly fee. A student interested
in being assigned onsite parking should apply for parking as part of their student
housing application. Assignment to onsite parking is not guaranteed due to the limited
number of spaces.
If a student needs parking and parking is not available at The Overture Apartments, parking permits are available at the Allston Way Garage next to the PLTS campus for a monthly fee.
Berkeley City Parking
A variety of Berkeley street and garage parking rules and options exist.
Limited free all-day street parking beginning 7 blocks (.7 miles) from The Overture Apartments is available past Allston
Way and California Streets. Students who chose to park on the street are encouraged
to move their car every three days (72 hours) and to pay attention to monthly sweeping
schedules to avoid tickets. Due to zoning restrictions, The Overture Apartments are
not eligible for Zone C Berkeley City parking permits.
Limited 2 hour street parking due to high volume of use is available near PLTS and the GTU. Persons with a disability are eligible to park free in downtown parking and parking garages.
A variety of pay for parking garages can be found downtown near PLTS and a pay for parking UC Berkeley garage is located near the GTU.
BART Parking
Parking at BART stations is available. EZ Rider Parking makes this easier. You can access
EZ Rider Parking when you have a Clipper Card. To set up this parking option, register
for EZ Rider Parking. You will receive an EZ Rider Parking pass and be able to pay for parking via your
Clipper Card.
The apartments come in a variety of studio, one bedroom, and two bedroom floor plans. The layout of each unit is unique.
Check out The Overture Apartments photo gallery.
Take a virtual tour of The Overture Apartments.
Check out nearby happenings in Berkeley.