MBEC Teacher Workforce Initiative

Focus Area:

Affordable Housing for Teachers

The goal in this area of focus is to identify and implement strategies to increase affordable, accessible housing for teachers in the Monterey Bay region.

There is a near crisis in our region when it comes to recruiting and retaining well qualified teachers. A major culprit in this crisis is the inability of teachers to find affordable housing. The TWI Affordable Housing Committee has made considerable strides in efforts to identify affordable housing opportunities for teachers in the tri-county region. The committee boasts a wide range of community leaders from the three counties including representation from county boards of supervisors, district and county superintendents, city and county planners, housing authorities, local property developers, local realtors, local mortgage companies, redevelopment agencies, institutions of higher education, teacher's unions, school boards, and others.

The committee is using a three-pronged approach to address the affordable housing issue.

Housing Resource Guide/Information Packets:

Guides to finding housing in the region have be developed and made available to all teachers.

  1. Go to the Guide to Finding Housing in Santa Cruz County.

Homebuyer Workshops:

Workshops for teachers that focus on affordable housing options and steps to home ownership, including financing, were designed by the TWI committee and are given throughout the region.

  1. Download Information about Homebuyer Workshops for Teachers and Educators.

Identification of Potential Properties:

Potential properties for or housing developments have been identified. The possibilities of a tax initiative to subsidize a teacher-housing program on identified properties are being explored.

Contacts:

  • Diane Siri
  • Superintendent
  • Santa Cruz County Office of Education of Human Resources
  • (831) 479-5220
  • iris@santacruz.k12.ca.us
  •  
  • Susan Midori Jones
  • Chapter Services Consultant
  • California Teachers Association
  • (831) 783-3200
  • smjones@cta.org

These findings underscore the growing importance of this institution to the vitality of the Monterey Bay Region. As the university develops, it's clear that strengthening the region's teacher development system will be a top priority.

— Peter Smith, President, California State University Monterey Bay