San Diego Unified Advances Plan for Workforce Housing
San Diego Unified School District trustees are moving forward with a plan to construct more than 2,388 housing units on school sites, potentially offering subsidized housing to district staff. The decision, made at meetings this week, represents a significant step toward addressing the region’s housing shortage and supporting the district’s workforce.
The Board of Trustees authorized staff to begin negotiations for four specific sites, with the goal of providing affordable housing options for 10% of the district’s employees by 2030. This initiative reflects a growing trend among California school districts to explore housing development as a means of attracting and retaining staff in the face of escalating housing costs.
The proposed developments will utilize joint-use occupancy agreements, allowing the district to retain ownership of the land while partnering with developers to construct rental apartments. The district anticipates receiving a share of the revenue generated by these partnerships.
A key focus for board members throughout the process has been maximizing the number of subsidized units available to staff. Board President Richard Barrera emphasized the importance of providing housing options for families, advocating for the inclusion of two- and three-bedroom units in the development plans.
Barrera also suggested that increasing the availability of family-sized housing could help mitigate declining enrollment within the district. By providing affordable housing options for families with school-age children, the district hopes to encourage more families to live within district boundaries.
The plan comes as school districts across California grapple with the challenges posed by the state’s housing crisis. The San Diego Unified initiative aims to provide a tangible benefit to employees struggling with housing affordability, while also potentially bolstering district enrollment.
Details of the five projects shaping the sweeping affordable housing plans are emerging, though specific details regarding the locations of the four sites authorized for negotiation were not immediately available. The San Diego Union-Tribune reported on January 28, 2026, that the trustees took the next steps to open workforce housing on school sites.
The move by San Diego Unified reflects a broader effort to address the challenges faced by educators and school staff in accessing affordable housing. As housing costs continue to rise, school districts are increasingly exploring innovative solutions to support their employees and ensure the continued quality of education.
