The affordable housing shortage in the U.S. is particularly acute in California, where less than one-third of the state’s households can afford a median-priced home that now tops $600,000, or more than twice the national average.
School districts in California’s priciest regions have had trouble attracting and holding onto K-12 teachers whose midrange annual salaries, statewide, are from $67,032 to $87,373 for high school districts; $65,210 to $81,840 for elementary school districts; and from $63,243 to $74,676 for Unified School Districts, according to the California Department of Education.
An analysis last year by EdSource found that in 47 Bay Area school districts, even the highest-paid teachers could only afford a one-bedroom apartment.
To address this need, several of the state’s counties and school districts—including those in Santa Clara, San Francisco, Sonoma County, West Contra Costa, and Mountain View—have either approved the construction of affordable housing for teachers and staff, or are considered it.
One of these districts is Jefferson Union High School in Daly City, where in June 2018 voters approved Measure J, a $33 million general obligation bond to help pay for the construction of affordable apartments for teachers and staff, a first for this state.
This $61 million Serramonte Faculty and Staff Housing project for Jefferson Union High School District broke ground on February 5, and its first units are scheduled to available in the spring of 2022. The facility will consist of 122 apartments, with 59 one-bedroom, 55 two-bedroom, and eight three-bedroom units. The homes will range from 640 to 1,270 sf. Most important, the units’ rent rates will be 50% of market rates at the time occupancy.
J.H. Fitzmaurice, a general contractor based in Emeryville, Calif., is the GC on this project, which SVA Architects designed. The school district, comprised of five schools and a Youth Health Center, has just under 4,900 students, according to the latest data.
A September 2017 survey of the district’s employees (48.5% of whom were tenured teachers), found that 25% of 266 respondents said they were “very interested” in employee housing, 14% were “somewhat interested,” and 24% “would consider” leasing. At the time of the survey, 41.2% of 262 respondents said they owned their homes.
Nearly one-quarter of total respondents were paying between $2,000 and $2,499 per month in rent or mortgage, 13.2% were paying $2,500 to $3,000, and 12.8% were paying more than $3,000. That translated to 29.7% of respondents who were spending 31% to 40% of their household monthly incomes for rent or mortgage, 17.7% paying between 41% and 50% of their incomes, and 13.5% paying more than 50%.
Related Stories
Senior Living Design | Jan 10, 2023
8 senior living communities that provide residents with memory care
Here are eight senior living communities that offer their residents memory care, an important service for residents who need this specialized care.
Government Buildings | Jan 9, 2023
Blackstone, Starwood among real estate giants urging President Biden to repurpose unused federal office space for housing
The Real Estate Roundtable, a group including major real estate firms such as Brookfield Properties, Blackstone, Empire State Realty Trust, Starwood Capital, as well as multiple major banks and CRE professional organizations, recently sent a letter to President Joe Biden on the implications of remote work within the federal government.
Multifamily Housing | Jan 9, 2023
New York City advances plan to build 500,000 new housing units
After New York Mayor Eric Adams announced a “Moonshot” plan to build 500,000 new housing units over the next 10 years in early December, he moved quickly to jumpstart the process.
Sustainability | Jan 9, 2023
Innovative solutions emerge to address New York’s new greenhouse gas law
New York City’s Local Law 97, an ambitious climate plan that includes fines for owners of large buildings that don’t significantly reduce carbon emissions, has spawned innovations to address the law’s provisions.
Fire and Life Safety | Jan 9, 2023
Why lithium-ion batteries pose fire safety concerns for buildings
Lithium-ion batteries have become the dominant technology in phones, laptops, scooters, electric bikes, electric vehicles, and large-scale battery energy storage facilities. Here’s what you need to know about the fire safety concerns they pose for building owners and occupants.
Multifamily Housing | Dec 29, 2022
San Jose is largest U.S. city to abolish minimum parking for new housing
San Jose, Calif., recently became the largest U.S. city to strike down minimum parking requirements for new housing development. The city reversed zoning devised in the 1950s that reputedly gave it the worst sprawl of parking space in northern California.
Codes and Standards | Dec 29, 2022
New York City multifamily owners concerned over fires caused by e-bikes
In 2022, there have been nearly 200 fires and six deaths in New York City caused by lithium-ion batteries used in mobility devices such as electric bikes and scooters.
Multifamily Housing | Dec 27, 2022
Traverse Apartments brings 281 sorely needed rental units to the Denver area
Traverse Apartments offers 281 units, designed by KTGY, is located in Lakewood, Colo.
Multifamily Housing | Dec 21, 2022
Bay Area school district builds 122 affordable apartments for faculty and staff
The 122 affordable apartments at 705 Serramonte, Daly City, Calif., were set aside not for faculty and staff at Jefferson Union High School District.
Multifamily Housing | Dec 20, 2022
Brooks + Scarpa-designed apartment provides affordable housing to young people aging out of support facilities
In Venice, Calif., the recently completed Rose Apartments provides affordable housing to young people who age out of youth facilities and often end up living on the street. Designed by Brooks + Scarpa, the four-story, 35-unit mixed-use apartment building will house transitional aged youths.
