School Districts Experiment with Alternative Housing Strategies

(From CBS) As school districts across the country are grappling with teacher shortages, one San Francisco area school district is trying a new approach to teacher retention :  affordable housing on school property. The 122-unit apartment complex was  approved by local voters and built for teachers and staff on property owned by the Jefferson Union High School District. One teacher who participates in the housing program said the monthly rent is about half that of an average two-bedroom apartment in the neighborhood. While other school districts still have vacancies, Carey said Terra Nova High School is fully staffed.

(From The Washington Post) Meanwhile, in Milpitas, California, district leaders sent a message to parents this week, urging them to let teachers move in. The message, which links to the form, asks parents how many rooms they have available and how much they would charge for rent. The district has also been trying to find rooms to rent from homeowners who don’t have kids in school. The callout for help seems to be working, according to the district superintendent.  Since sending out its request online last week, the district said it has received 55 responses from families looking to rent out a room in their home.