San Mateo-Foster City takes steps for teacher housing

“Our district’s educators are experts in their field, and ensuring that they have housing that is affordable and close to work is critical for retaining top talent as well as prioritizing their health, safety and wellness,” bard President Alison Proctor said in a press release.

Housing challenges faced by district staff, across the county, have resulted in many traveling far distances to where they work, and high rates of turnover due to the unsustainable options to live nearby. 

“Close to half don’t live in a place that is reasonable to think that they’re going to stay here for 20 years or more,” Superintendent Diego Ochoa said at a school board meeting Aug. 28. 

According to a staff report, data shows that 75 teachers hired in the last three years live in more than 33 different cities that require a lengthy commute, as far as Livermore and Stockton. 

Throughout the county, Ochoa said in 2022-23, the average school district lost 10% or more employees after one year, many moving due to high rent costs. The same staff report noted the average home price in San Mateo and Foster City is $1.6 million and $2 million, respectively, and rent can cost $3,500 a month. 

Around 84% of district educators possibly qualify as extremely low income in San Mateo County, according to a staff presentation. 

Recent legislation and initiatives in California have officials pushing school districts to convert their surplus property into housing for teachers, pledging financial incentives for districts to pass bonds. 

At the first task force meeting, Deputy Superintendent Patrick Gaffney outlined the district’s fiscal health, and noted its AAA bond rating. Amy Ruffo, executive director of Facilities and Construction, also presented the district’s “highly effective” use of bond funds.

“These projects highlight the district’s commitment to effective management of quality construction projects,” according to a press release. 

Examples the district are closely following include similar efforts in Santa Cruz, Palo Alto and Mountain View. In the county, the Jefferson Union High School District in Daly City did what many hope to model, opening a 122-unit apartment complex in 2022 that now houses a quarter of district staff. There, a one-bedroom apartment rents for $1,450 a month, about half the market rate. 

“I love taking ideas from people who have good ideas,” Ochoa said. “These folks had a plan, they had a vision, they executed their plan to build educator housing and it has resolved their turnover issue. It’s taken years because that’s how this process works … but it has resulted in a shift in their day-to-day operations and their long-term stability.” 

The Educator Housing Task Force includes school administrators, union presidents, community leaders from both cities, and local housing officials. Ochoa said he will present updates to the board monthly, with more details to come on recommendations early next calendar year.