The rising cost of housing, along with the pandemic, has transformed the lack of housing affordable to teachers in expensive parts of California from bad to worse. Solutions so far only address half the problem or don’t go far enough.
The increasing gap between teacher salaries and the cost of owning or renting a home are making it increasingly hard for teachers to make ends meet. To afford the cost of living, many teachers are forced to work an extra job, commute long distances, or rely on in housing provided by their school districts.
A recent article by Edwin Rios for the Guardian focuses on California as the poster child of the teacher workforce housing affordability problem, but also as a case study of early policy responses to the challenge—a challenge is exacerbated on both sides of an equation found in other parts of the country as well. The cost of housing is rising, and teachers are significantly underpaid relative to other jobs.
Research published by the Economic Policy Institute in August 2022 “found that public school teachers nationally make nearly 24% less in weekly earnings than similarly credentialed college graduates in other fields,” explains Rios. “When benefits such as healthcare were taken into account, the total compensation penalty was 14%, the widest gap since 1979.”
After laying out the scale of a problem that cuts across issues of land use, racial demographics, and numerous social outcomes, the article also digs into how some governments, at various levels, are responding to the challenge. “In California, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill last October that would make it easier for districts to build housing specifically for teachers and school employees on district-owned properties beginning January 2024,” for example. According to an “Education Workforce Housing” report published by the California School Boards Association (CSBA) in collaboration with researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles and the University of California, Berkeley; more than 40 districts around the state of California are considering workforce housing projects.
The potential for school districts to provide more workforce housing is far greater that has been realized. Local educational agencies in California own 151,500 acres of land, for example, according to the press release announcing the study. But the article never strays to far from the idea that solutions to teacher workforce housing challenges will also have to ensure that teacher salaries are competitive enough to attract the talent and work ethic required of the job.
FULL STORY: US teachers grapple with a growing housing crisis: ‘We can’t afford rent’
Iowa City Hopes Zoning Amendments Will Increase Housing Supply, Diversity
Iowa City is planning ahead to ensure that housing supply keeps up with housing demand.
New Haven Housing Authority Proposes Zoning Reforms, Land Tax
While the Connecticut State Legislature stalls on zoning reform, a local housing authority in the state is recommending an ambitious package of pro-development, supply-side policy changes to mitigate the cost of housing in the state.
Cincinnati First City in Ohio to Legalize Accessory Dwelling Units
The Queen City achieved an historic day for planning in the state of Ohio.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion
The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.
Since Zion's Shuttles Went Electric “The Smog is Gone”
Visitors to Zion National Park can enjoy the canyon via the nation’s first fully electric park shuttle system.
Trump Distributing DOT Safety Funds at 1/10 Rate of Biden
Funds for Safe Streets and other transportation safety and equity programs are being held up by administrative reviews and conflicts with the Trump administration’s priorities.
German Cities Subsidize Taxis for Women Amid Wave of Violence
Free or low-cost taxi rides can help women navigate cities more safely, but critics say the programs don't address the root causes of violence against women.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie