Workforce Housing

The Fourth Meeting: Exploring New Insights from Neighboring Housing Initiatives

At the November 26th meeting, the Educator Housing Task Force focused on refining strategies to address educator housing challenges.

Special guests Trevor Miller and Jim Monreal from Santa Cruz City Schools shared their district’s journey in creating housing at 313 Swift Street, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and thoughtful planning. Board member Alisa MacAvoy from Redwood City School District highlighted their feasibility study and partnership with local agencies.

Superintendent Diego Ochoa encouraged the task force to begin thinking about recommendations for the December regular board meeting on December 12, 2024.

Documents shared: EHTF meeting 4_SMFCSD & RWCSD Presentation | Jefferson Union High School District_Handout Administrative Document Waitlist | Redwood City Workforce housing - FAQ - EHTF Mtg 4 | Teacher Housing Foundation_Handout EHTF Mtg #4

The Second Meeting: Talking Site Opportunities

The Educator Housing Task Force welcomed current Board president of Jefferson Union High School District, Ms. Kalimah Salahuddin as she opened for the third meeting on October 24th. Sharing JUHSD's story is crucial for the Task Force to consider all options when moving forward in building educator housing for SMFCSD staff.

Jefferson Union's story emphasized the importance of creating high-quality housing that respects the dignity of educators, incorporating features like laundry rooms and community amenities. The district took swift action, building all at once to avoid rising construction costs. Today, Jefferson Union’s 5-acre site houses 100 units—a significant achievement, though Ms. Salahuddin noted, “Housing for a third of the staff is still not enough.” The program now has a waitlist and has fostered a sense of community among staff, enhancing collaboration and improving educational outcomes. “Housing and success at school are inextricably linked,” she concluded, emphasizing that housing stability allows staff to focus on their jobs rather than basic needs like food or rent.

Documents shared: Employee Housing Task Force: Property Discussion

The Second Meeting: Broadening Our Knowledge

At the September 26th meeting of SMFC's Educator Housing Task Force expanded its focus on the broader challenges and potential solutions for workforce housing.

The meeting featured a presentation by Kelly M. Rem, the Partner at Lozano

Smith, who provided an insightful overview titled "Workforce Housing: A Work in Progress." The presentation delved into the complexities surrounding educator housing and outlined the legal and procedural steps districts must navigate. Attendees were also introduced to a practical tool—a Checklist for the Sale or Lease of School District Surplus Property—designed to help the district explore all potential options for advancing housing solutions. With council members and city representatives contributing, the group examined housing on a broader scale, reflecting the shared responsibility between school districts and local municipalities to address the housing crisis.

Documents shared: Workforce Housing Presentation 2024 | SMFCSD JUHSD Presentation_ETHF_926 | Checklist for Sale or Lease of School District Surplus Property

The First Meeting: Building Momentum

August 29, 2024 saw the inaugural meeting of the Educator Housing Task Force bringing together a talented diverse group of stakeholders that include high-level executives, school administrators, union presidents, and community leaders from both San Mateo and Foster City. 

During this first meeting, the task force explored current residential trends among district staff, highlighting the growing challenges of housing affordability. Participants discussed that 75 teachers hired in the last three years live in over 33 cities that require a lengthy commute with significant vehicle traffic. These discussions underscored the critical need for action to ensure that our educators and support staff can continue to live in the communities they serve. 

Documents shared: EHTF Activity Aug 29, 2024 | Educator Housing Task Force Mtg | Housing Samples 1 and 4 through 9

In the San Mateo-Foster City School District, we believe that providing our educators and staff with stable, affordable housing is critical to fostering a thriving educational environment for our students. This conviction led to the formation of the Workforce Housing Task Force, which aims to address the housing challenges faced by our district’s staff. As housing prices continue to rise, district teachers and staff struggle to find affordable housing within the communities they serve. This reality continues to be a direct threat to staff retention, job satisfaction, and, by extension, the consistency and quality of education our students receive.

Board Approval: Turning Vision into Action

On June 27, 2024, the San Mateo-Foster City School District Board of Trustees unanimously approved the creation of the Workforce Housing Task Force. This decision reinforces our district's commitment to support our educators in ensuring they live and work by the communities they are committed to serving.

With this green light, the task force was officially established, setting the stage for a focused and collaborative approach to developing viable housing solutions.

Looking Forward: A Commitment to Change

The journey toward securing affordable housing for our educators is just beginning. The Workforce Housing Task Force will continue to meet in the coming months, working diligently to develop actionable recommendations that will be presented to the Board.

These recommendations will be informed by thorough research, community input, and a shared commitment to ensuring that every educator and staff member in our district has access to safe, affordable housing.

As we move forward, the San Mateo-Foster City School District remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting our educators, recognizing that their well-being is integral to the success of our students and the overall health of our community.