Silicon Valley Teacher Housing Revolution: San Jose State University is taking innovative steps to address the exodus of teachers from Silicon Valley due to the soaring cost of living. With educators and students leaving the region, the university is considering a solution to create affordable housing for teachers on district-owned land.
This forward-thinking initiative envisions collaboration between San Jose State University and public school districts across Santa Clara County. The primary goal is to combat the housing crisis that has made it increasingly challenging for teachers to live in the Bay Area. The university is also exploring the use of the Alquist building, acquired in January 2020, to house not only its own faculty, staff, and graduate students but also teachers and employees from various school districts.
Chris Norwood, the board president of Milpitas Unified School District, expressed enthusiasm for the concept after a presentation by San Jose State University President Cynthia Teniente-Matson. He described the university’s proposal as a “powerful value proposition,” suggesting that school districts could sublease or lease a certain number of units from the university to accommodate their educator staff. This innovative approach may reduce the need for school districts to enter the affordable housing business, a move driven by the housing crisis, increased living costs, and the financial burden of long commutes faced by teachers, both new and tenured.
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Affordable housing for teachers holds the promise of expanding and diversifying the teacher workforce, especially in districts like Milpitas, known for its linguistic diversity. Norwood emphasized that the cost of living is a significant barrier for educators from across the country and around the world who wish to work in California. To attract and retain a diverse group of teachers, affordable housing near the workplace is imperative.
While San Jose State University has presented a scenario for potential collaboration with K-12 school districts on educator housing, there is no firm plan or commitment in place yet. According to Michelle Smith McDonald, a spokesperson for the university, ongoing discussions are aimed at exploring opportunities that will ultimately benefit students.
Charlie Faas, the chief financial officer for San Jose State University, highlighted the pressing issue of teachers with $80,000 salaries struggling to afford market-rate housing, often resulting in grueling two-hour commutes. Faas has previously discussed the development of teacher housing with institutions like San Jose Unified School District and Evergreen Valley College, though these plans did not come to fruition. In the Alquist building, there is ample space to accommodate teachers and employees from other school districts, offering an attractive option for affordable housing closer to their workplaces.
This groundbreaking model, as exemplified by the Alquist building, has the potential to be replicated at other locations. It addresses the critical need for affordable teacher housing while enhancing the quality of life for educators, making it more feasible for them to remain in the region and work in their respective school districts.
Bob Nunez, co-chair of La Raza Roundtable, emphasized the importance of providing affordable housing for teachers near their workplaces. He noted that most districts have available land for teacher housing, and if this innovative approach becomes a funding mechanism, it can play a significant role in meeting the housing needs of educators and encouraging new teachers to join districts that are in dire need of their expertise. This collaborative effort between San Jose State University and local school districts marks a promising step toward addressing the teacher housing crisis in Silicon Valley.