California schools required to build housing for teachers

California officials are emphasizing the transformation of surplus school properties into housing for teachers, staff, students, and families through recent legislative efforts and initiatives. Some districts have already commenced this endeavor, and the state now aims for universal district involvement in property rental.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond asserted the state’s capacity and innovative potential to address the housing shortage by leveraging California’s vast school land resources at a press conference in July. Thurmond conveyed confidence in the ability of school leaders to foster community welfare and revive the California Dream through this initiative.

While the prospect of school districts becoming residential landlords gains momentum, a degree of skepticism prevails among some superintendents and education analysts. Concerns are raised that this strategy may not be universally applicable and that districts might be better served by concentrating on educational priorities rather than real estate ventures.

Nicole Glentzer, Superintendent of Mendocino County, appreciates the attention to housing challenges but underscores the multitude of responsibilities educators already shoulder. Juggling student performance, attendance, behavior issues, and now addressing the housing crisis may strain resources beyond capacity.

Superintendent Thurmond has promised financial incentives to districts endorsing bonds for staff housing projects. Additionally, the Department of Education is facilitating workshops to equip district officials with real estate development know-how.

A recent report by UC Berkeley and UCLA disclosed that Californian school districts possess over 75,000 acres of developable land, sufficient to accommodate 2.3 million housing units, potentially mitigating the state’s housing deficit. Legislative milestones, including the 2016 Teacher Housing Act, and subsequent laws streamlining development processes, enhance district capabilities in this realm.

If Proposition 2, a $10 billion school facilities bond, is approved this autumn, funds could be allocated not only for structural refurbishments but also for constructing teacher accommodations.