The San Diego Unified Board of Education is mulling over a proposal to construct more than 1,000 affordable housing units to increase employee retention within the school district, reflecting a move to tackle the housing crisis in the region.
The district currently provides some income-restricted housing options for families of district employees, with 53 individuals currently residing in such housing approximately 16 miles away from the district’s headquarters.
Why it matters: Results from a survey of 2,372 staff members revealed that nearly 70% of respondents fall under the low to moderate household income bracket, highlighting the need for additional district-provided housing options.
- District officials defined “lower-income” as up to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), while “moderate-income” ranges from 80% to 120% of the AMI, which in San Diego County stands at $119,500.
The big picture: The proposed plan under consideration would involve constructing 1,006 affordable housing units across five San Diego Unified-owned properties, all situated within a 10-mile radius of the district’s headquarters.
- The goal is to make affordable housing options available to 10% of San Diego Unified staff within a decade, aiming to support improved academic performance and strengthen employee recruitment and retention efforts.
Flashback: California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation in 2020 permitting school districts to utilize low-income housing tax credits for constructing affordable housing for employees on district-owned property, enabling collaboration between local governments and school districts to address affordable housing challenges.
