Some community development organizations have added education to their traditional focus on housing and economic development, looking for ways to support families and children by partnering with local school districts. How is it working?

Housing shortages are pushing teachers out of many communities, prompting school districts and developers to create innovative affordable housing solutions. From converted motels in Texas to large-scale developments in California, districts are leveraging surplus land and creative financing to keep educators local.
California leads with 6 completed teacher housing projects, 4 under construction, and 19 planned. The state has 75,000 acres of available district land — “the size of five Manhattans” — with 61 percent in areas where teachers face housing affordability challenges.
Projects range from Santa Clara's 70-unit development offering 80 percent market-rate rents to Fort Stockton's converted motel starting at $250 monthly. Private developers are also entering the space, with RBH Group's Teachers Village complexes combining housing with educational facilities in multiple cities.
While some projects face NIMBY opposition and financing challenges, demand consistently exceeds supply. As one California official noted: “We could have built more.” The initiatives appear effective at teacher retention - Baltimore's Miller's Court has housed 775 teachers since 2009, with many choosing to stay in the district long-term.
FULL STORY: Expanding the Mission: The Community Groups Serving Schools

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

San Mateo Formally Opposes Freeway Project
The city council will send a letter to Caltrans urging the agency to reconsider a plan to expand the 101 through the city of San Mateo.

A Bronx Community Fights to Have its Voice Heard
After organizing and giving input for decades, the community around the Kingsbridge Armory might actually see it redeveloped — and they want to continue to have a say in how it goes.

Houston Mayor Promises Dedicated Austin Street Bike Lane After Public Backlash
Although the one-way bike lane won’t be protected by physical barriers, the proposal is an improvement over the mayor’s initial plan to only include sharrows on the Austin Street project.
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