New apartment complex coming to Soledad, and option for more

Finding housing is a known struggle in Soledad.

“It’s crazy. I myself, have been looking for a place for about three years. Still can’t get anything,” said Sonia Oritz, a Soledad resident.

On January 9th, the city plans to discuss new housing that could be attractive to young working professionals, specifically, teachers.

“An entry level teacher, fresh out of college, they’re coming to a job that’s making 40, 50 thousand. They don’t need a 5 bedroom house. They need a roommate, probably more than anything. We do not have the housing that is really available for them,” said Brent Slama, Community and Economic Development Director for the City of Soledad.

The new, 18 unit, apartment complex, Vista Pointe , will offer options for singles and smaller families, come Summer 2019. The city said they want to build more, and has talked about putting two new apartment complexes near Jack Franscioni Elementary.

“There’s definitely a need to have smaller units for those that don’t have a family yet, or are looking for an affordable place to live,” said Slama.

Soledad Unified School District currently employs around 240 teachers and hopes new housing options could help keep them long term.

“It’s important for us to collaborate with the city on events like this, so we can find option for our teacher,” said Timothy Vanolli, Superintendent of Soledad Unified School District.

They said they want to give them not only a place to work, but a community to be a part of.

“I think that’s what we’re all looking for. How do we make Soledad a community for the people that work here? So they’re not on the highway. Headed either north or south at 4:30, five o’clock, every afternoon,” said Vanolli.