SACRAMENTO — The California Department of Education is attempting to do its part to address a housing shortage that has led to a teacher shortage.
Governor Gavin Newsom wants California to create 2.5 million new homes by 2030 amid a housing crisis that is affecting our economy.
The Department of Education recently announced that it is offering up 75,000 acres that it owns to help create 2.3 million housing units in areas where teachers struggle to afford housing
“We’re excited about what it means to be able to retain staff that work in our schools, what it means to support students in closing the learning gap,” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond said.
The Department of Education would team up with developers to bring the units to market. The state offers the land up to affordable housing first, then subsidized housing, and then puts the properties out for bid.
“What typically happens is builders will put it under an option, and it’s widely accepted that’s the way it’s done because it does reduce the risk somewhat,” said Tom Grable of Tri Pointe Homes. “But we are still putting up sizable deposits, big money deposits, and then we’re spending huge sums of dollars to get it through the process.”