(Photo by Mouneb Taim/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Daly City, in California, is looking out for its local teachers in a major way! On August 6, San Mateo County opened an affordable housing complex for its teachers on the grounds of an elementary school.
According to CBS News, a parking lot sits between the school itself and the affordable housing complex, which means walkable travel for work. Additionally, there are 56 units and access to multiple amenities, including a laundry facility, a community room, a courtyard, and a play area for children.
Daly City Mayor Juslyn Manalo spoke on the opening of Eastmoor Heights :
“The school is right there; their home is right here!” I mean, it’s really wonderful to have our teachers, our staff, rooted in our community, and not living two hours away.”
District voters approved a $33 million bond measure for the housing complex in 2018. At the time, there was reportedly a 25% employee turnover rate.
In recent years, teachers and school staff have reportedly begun moving away from Daly City, looking for housing. For some who have kept their school roles, the commute can be as far as two hours.
The new housing units have also drawn interest and applications to the district from out-of-state applicants. Rent for the approved teachers will be capped at 50% less than the market rate at the time of occupancy.
Meanwhile, earlier this year, the city opened another affordable housing complex on the grounds of Jefferson Union High School District. It features 122 units.
Realtor.com reports that the median listing home price in San Mateo County, California, was $1.6 million in June 2024.
One teacher, Priscilla Patalinghug, was faced with the decision to leave the city but ultimately got accepted into the new complex. She and her two children live in the unit now, meaning they get to stay in a city they “love,” along with its “weather” and “people.”
