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Our History

Two students stirring large metal pots in the kitchen
Robison, one of UCHA's three main buildings.
A father with his two daughters in front of one of UCHA's student residences.
Three students hugging

December 5th, 1936

UCLA Freshman John Essene rents a small house in Westwood with a big idea. UCHA is born

October 1941

July 1958

Robison building is purchased

Essene building is purchased

December 5th, 2024

We marked our 88th birthday, celebrating the Cooperative’s rich history and the over 70,000 students since 1936 who have called UCHA home

1939

April 1941

UCHA becomes the first integrated housing in Westwood

UCHA takes in Japanese-American students at risk of internment during WWII

September 1973

Hardman Hansen Hall is built, raising the Co-op’s capacity to 430 students

Representative George Edward Brown Jr. conversing with a man
Three friends, one Asian, one white, and one Black
A sunset glowing behind Hardman Hansen Hall
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