Working and living in the same city is a luxury that has become unattainable for many teachers in the Bay Area.
“I teach in the San Jose Unified School District, so I’m based in downtown San Jose, but like many educators in our district, I have to drive from Gilroy,” explained Alma Ortiz-Agib, instructional coach for the San Jose Unified School District.
The lack of affordable housing makes it difficult to retain teachers. That’s why state Superintendent Tony Thurman announced a new strategy for school districts.
“Build affordable housing on vacant land that already belongs to the districts. There are 7,500 districts that have excess space where they can build low-cost complexes,” Thurman said.
In Daly City, the Serramonte apartment complex was built, which belongs to the Jefferson Unified School District and where school psychologist Fabiola Gutiérrez has lived for 8 months.
“Before, I lived with my parents because, as we know, rents in San Mateo County are very expensive and I couldn’t live alone, so I lived with my parents,” Fabiola said.
The space is available not only to teachers, but also to cleaning staff and school kitchen staff.
A one-bedroom unit costs $1,450 a month. The building has 122 units in total, all of which are full. There is a waiting list of 40 people.
The building opened two years ago and the district has since been able to begin the school year with a full staff of employees.
Educators support state superintendent’s new strategy, but have one concern.
“I think Tony Thurman’s proposal is a good idea as long as it doesn’t use up funds that are guaranteed for schools,” Ortiz-Agib said.
“I hope that other districts in California can create housing for educators because it is something that helps us a lot,” said Gutierrez.
