A school district in Daly City officially is welcoming teachers and staff into affordable housing ahead of the 2024-25 school year.
Construction on the project began in 2019 and was completed this summer, and qualified teachers and school staff have been moving in since.
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WATCH HEREClaudia Zerboulakon has been a teacher for over a decade, and she falls loves her job despite the cost of living challenges in the Bay Area.
"I know that I may not have a lot of money, but I know that I make a difference, and for me, that costs more than money," said Zervoulakis, a teacher at M.P. Brown Elementary School. "I love teaching, and I love the families that I serve."
Zervoulakis just moved into a three-bedroom unit in the new complex with her family. It's one of 56 units just built and assigned to teachers and staff with the Jefferson Elementary School District.
The units here are offered at 60% of market rate, which means that a three-bedroom home is under $3,000 – not typical of rent along the Peninsula.
School board president Shakeel Ali says it's just the first step in attracting talent to stay or come from different parts of the country.
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"They’ll be more engaged and actually close to their students and work site," he said. "They won't have to worry about a long commute, save some money and in the future be a homeowner."
The school district says it wants to make a difference in its teachers’ lives. Offering affordable rent is key.
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SIGN UP There are 30 one-bedroom units offered at around $1,600 each; 20 two-bedroom units at $2,100 apiece; and six three-bedroom homes at $2,800 each.
The housing was made possible through the sale of surplus properties, specifically a school site that was sold over 10 years ago, and a bond measure that was passed by voters in Daly City.
Teachers are staff can live in the units for 5-7 years for now to give them time to save and eventually purchase a home.
