The Santa Cruz (California) City School District is scheduled to begin construction later this month on an $80 million complex that will provide affordable housing for teachers and other staff.
Lookout Santa Cruz reports that district employee who lease apartments in the 100-unit complex will pay only 60% to 70% of market rate rents.
The construction site is on land long owned by the school district near the old Natural Bridges Elementary School campus. The complex will have 11 studios, 28 one-bedroom apartments, 50 two-bedroom apartments and 11 three-bedroom apartments. It is expected to open in 2028.
District officials have scheduled a groundbreaking event on March 18.
The district first started planning for workforce housing over a decade ago, when Santa Cruz County’s housing prices began to rise to what’s now considered the least-affordable rental market in the country. That has led to high staff turnover rates and recruitment and retention difficulties for schools.
Initial rents will be based on market rates when the complex opens.
Last year, estimates for 65% of market rents at the time came to about $1,820 for a studio, $2,080 for a one-bedroom, $2,730 for a two-bedroom and $3,250 for a three-bedroom unit.
“In the most expensive rental market in the nation, providing a place for our teachers to call home is more than just a construction project,” Santa Cruz Superintendent Kris Munro said. “It is transformative for our entire district. I am filled with profound gratitude for a community that understands that supporting our educators is a direct investment in our students’ future.”
The architects are EHDD and Studio Vara, and the builder is Bogard Construction.
