New educator housing plans for Santa Cruz school district

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV)- School districts are facing a challenge as the cost of living in Santa Cruz county rises. Making it hard for teachers and staff to live in the area. However, a potential solution from the county may help with affordable housing for educators.

“It's absolutely an ongoing headache for anyone who doesn’t own a home," chief of communication and community engagement for Santa Cruz City Schools Sam Rolen said.

In Santa Cruz county every year the rental prices increase, and for teachers like Meghann Finn, she pays 60% of her income to just living here. With this new affordable housing, Finn and others can put their money towards something other than housing.

“A lot of teachers who have lived here for a long time and want to be able to live in this community but they make teacher's salary," a kindergarten teacher at Gault elementary Meghann Finn said. "It’s going to be able to save us money to eventually one day buy something here or maybe eventually when we retire."

On 313 Swift Street, the school district will be building a 100-unit educator housing development. It will be a mix of studios and multi-bedroom units with parking and amenities on site.

“I’m excited about the possibilities school districts continue to pursue affordable housing." County superintendent of schools Faris Sabbah said. "I think this is gonna be something that is gonna be really helpful for the educators that live in our community."

The county hopes to keep additional units available in case housing falls through for some other educators.

“When we are trying to hire staff from outside of the area, they take a look at the availability of housing and they’re unable to come here." Sabbah said. We are experiencing that a lot of families and students, including our educators are leaving the area to find more affordable places to live.” 

In 2022, Santa Cruz City Schools put a bond on the ballot to see if the community would support building a workforce housing development for teachers and staff. 

Rolen was initially hoping to get this project going by 2027, but now it might not be ready until 2028. 

The district has been looking into building more affordable housing, like this one, in more locations, as well as adding more units.