In a major step toward easing the housing crisis for local educators, construction has begun on a 110-unit workforce housing development in Berkeley, California.
The Berkeley Unified School District (BUSD) is partnering with affordable housing nonprofits Abode Communities and Satellite Affordable Housing Associates (SAHA) on the 110-unit community that is being built on part of the Berkeley Adult School parking lot.
“Affordable housing is a mainstay for thriving communities, and this project represents our strong commitment to supporting our educators, staff, and their families,” says John Calise, assistant superintendent, facilities, at BUSD.
The development will feature one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments for residents earning 30% to 120% of the area median income. Early engagement revealed that 80% of BUSD employees are renters, and 90% are interested in affordable housing closer to their jobs, reports the development team.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to ensure that school district teachers and employees can find safe, affordable housing near their places of work,” says SAHA CEO Susan Friedland. “When we meet the housing needs of the ‘missing middle,’ entire communities thrive.”
Multiple funding sources are behind the approximately $77 million BUSD Workforce Housing development, including $26.5 million from the city of Berkeley and a 99-year lease agreement from BUSD with land valued at $11.5 million. Additional project financing was made possible by a $16 million investment from the California Housing Finance Agency and Wells Fargo, which provided more than $78 million in combined construction financing and private equity syndicated through low-income housing tax credits.
This marks the fourth educator housing project by Abode Communities in collaboration with school districts across California. Its most recent development, The Acacia in Palo Alto, will serve educators from five neighboring school districts when it opens this summer.
“This project exemplifies what’s possible when cities and school districts come together to innovate for the people who make our communities work,” said Holly Benson, president and CEO of Abode Communities. “We’re not just building more housing—we’re making a long-term investment in public education for the benefit of our students.”
