Throughout much of the 20th century, teaching was regarded as a stable and respectable middle-class profession in the United States. However, the landscape has shifted dramatically, making it increasingly difficult for educators to sustain themselves on their salaries. A study from the Economic Policy Institute indicates that wages for teachers have remained stagnant for decades, adjusted for inflation, teachers are earning approximately 5% less than they did ten years ago.
This financial strain contributes to a significant teacher shortage, with numerous positions going unfilled across the country. Simultaneously, a report from the Annenberg Institute at Brown University reveals that over 160,000 teachers currently in classrooms lack the necessary certifications or credentials.
The situation has become more pressing amid a rapid escalation in housing costs nationwide over the past decade. Many potential educators are questioning the viability of pursuing a teaching career when the financial burden of housing looms large. In response, various states and cities, including those in California and Cincinnati, are actively developing education workforce housing—affordable living spaces specifically aimed at public school teachers and staff.
As professors of architecture and education at Miami University in Ohio, we are dedicated to facilitating pathways for students to enter the teaching profession, which includes tackling the challenge of affordable housing in the communities they serve. A crucial part of our efforts involves collaborating with local education agencies, which often own significant parcels of land, to construct, subsidize, or identify housing for teachers. This land can serve multiple purposes, including the establishment of new schools or clinics, but it can also be repurposed for housing, especially in urban areas where land is both limited and costly.
California has taken the lead in these initiatives, with its school districts controlling more than 75,000 acres that could potentially be developed. Notably, over a third of the state”s public school employees are burdened by housing costs, spending over 30% of their income on rent.
The California Teacher Housing Act of 2016 established a framework for local education agencies to develop housing on their land, resulting in the emergence of various education workforce housing projects, including Shirley Chisolm Village in San Francisco and 705 Serramonte in Daly City.
Funding for these housing initiatives can come from a range of sources, including traditional private donations and government support. Some projects utilize financial mechanisms such as certificates of participation, allowing external investors to contribute funds upfront while recouping their investment through rental income. In certain cases, teachers may benefit from reduced rents during the early stages of their careers, with some even given opportunities to purchase their homes.
Management of these initiatives often falls to third-party companies, as local education agencies typically do not engage in property management, thus minimizing potential conflicts between employers and employees. Many housing programs stipulate that residents must be school district employees at the time of entry, providing stability even if individuals leave their positions later.
A study published in April 2025 by UCLA“s CITYLab and the Center for Cities and Schools assessed the benefits and challenges of nine educator housing projects throughout California. Findings indicated that tenants were largely satisfied with their living conditions, enjoying rents significantly lower than market rates, and appreciated the design of the apartments, which also contributed to shorter commuting times.
Since 2020, similar housing initiatives have been proposed or initiated in states like Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, and South Carolina. In West Texas, a school district converted a motel into teacher housing, while in Arizona, the Chino Valley Unified School District erected tiny homes for educators, renting them at a rate of USD 550 monthly. In Baltimore, over 775 teachers have been accommodated through projects like the Union Mill, a historic building transformed into affordable teacher apartments.
Beyond merely offering affordable housing, these initiatives foster community bonds. An evaluation of teacher housing in Los Angeles highlighted how on-site community spaces and programs promoted lasting friendships and collaborations among residents.
In Cincinnati, recent graduates from our TEACh and Urban Cohort programs have benefitted from affordable housing options through a partnership with St. Francis Seraph. The Archdiocese of Cincinnati has transformed an old church property into teacher apartments in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, providing recent graduates with rental opportunities at reduced rates. As one graduate teacher, Nicholas Detzel, noted, “I wouldn”t be able to spend my beginning years as an educator in the community without access to affordable housing.”
Living within the community allows teachers like Detzel to build deeper connections with their students, gaining insights into their lives and surroundings. This proximity enhances trust and understanding, ultimately benefiting the educational environment.
The push for affordable housing for teachers is still developing, with approximately 3.2 million public school teachers in the U.S. and fewer than 100 housing projects either completed or underway. Nonetheless, the growing interest among districts reflects the need to tackle the dual issues of affordable housing and quality education, potentially paving the way for similar partnerships in other professions.
