Some community development organizations have added education to their traditional focus on housing and economic development, looking for ways to support families and children by partnering with local school districts. How is it working?
Housing shortages are pushing teachers out of many communities, prompting school districts and developers to create innovative affordable housing solutions. From converted motels in Texas to large-scale developments in California, districts are leveraging surplus land and creative financing to keep educators local.
California leads with 6 completed teacher housing projects, 4 under construction, and 19 planned. The state has 75,000 acres of available district land — “the size of five Manhattans” — with 61 percent in areas where teachers face housing affordability challenges.
Projects range from Santa Clara's 70-unit development offering 80 percent market-rate rents to Fort Stockton's converted motel starting at $250 monthly. Private developers are also entering the space, with RBH Group's Teachers Village complexes combining housing with educational facilities in multiple cities.
While some projects face NIMBY opposition and financing challenges, demand consistently exceeds supply. As one California official noted: “We could have built more.” The initiatives appear effective at teacher retention - Baltimore's Miller's Court has housed 775 teachers since 2009, with many choosing to stay in the district long-term.
FULL STORY: Expanding the Mission: The Community Groups Serving Schools
Fact Check: New Housing Doesn’t Lead to Overcrowded Schools
A common refrain heard by locals opposed to new housing developments is that area schools can’t absorb the increase in students they’ll bring. As the nation approaches an “enrollment cliff,” the data tells a different story.
Why Some Affordable Housing Managers Are Running Education Programs
Many housing organizations are finding that educational programs are a logical — and valuable — addition to their offerings.
The Role of Schools in Fostering Vibrant and Inclusive Communities
Discover how schools play a crucial role in community development by fostering inclusivity, enhancing local engagement, and serving as hubs for social and cultural activities.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.
Adaptive Reuse Will Create Housing in a Suburban Texas Strip Mall
A developer is reimagining a strip mall property as a mixed-use complex with housing and retail.
Study: Anti-Homelessness Laws Don’t Work
Research shows that punitive measures that criminalized unhoused people don’t help reduce homelessness.
In U.S., Urban Gondolas Face Uphill Battle
Cities in Latin America and Europe have embraced aerial transitways — AKA gondolas — as sustainable, convenient urban transport, especially in tricky geographies. American cities have yet to catch up.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont