The cost of housing in California has made it increasingly difficult for teachers and other K-12 school staff to live near their places of work. Housing is not the only reason that many local education agencies (LEAs) across the state struggle to attract and retain staff, but it is a significant factor. The negative impact of staffing challenges on educational outcomes and student wellbeing is well-documented. Staff turnover is costly and disruptive. Housing challenges can inhibit the job satisfaction and productivity of continuing employees. Educators with long commutes, for example, are less able to fill leadership roles or sponsor after school student activities.

In response to these challenges, LEAs have begun developing education workforce housing (EWH) to provide affordable living options for their employees. As interest in EWH has grown, so has the need for policy clarification, technical assistance, and guidance on emerging practices in the field. 

In this report, we offer practical guidance—what to anticipate and what to watch out for—drawn from both our study of completed projects and our broader engagement with LEAs across the state. The content and organization of the report generally mirror the EWH development process that we outlined in our 2022 publications, with some updated insights based on our work over the past three years.