Teacher Housing In Cupertino On Santa Clara Co. Supes Agenda

CUPERTINO, CA — The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors were set to discuss a referral Tuesday to develop housing for West Valley teachers and school employees, including potentially using Measure A funds toward the effort.

The county has previously worked to develop a 110-unit housing project in Palo Alto, and has heard “interest from various stakeholders in the West Valley community about bringing a similar project to that part of our County” — broadly defined as West San Jose and Campbell, Cupertino, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno and Saratoga.

The referral, introduced by Supervisors Joe Simitian and Otto Lee, called for county staff to work with West Valley stakeholders to identify possible project sites and keep the experience of previous projects in consideration.

As of 2016, no homes in Santa Clara County were affordable on an average teacher salary, according to a Redfin survey. The staff report said that 43 percent of office staff, 50 percent of teachers assistants, 42 percent of janitors and maintenance workers and 55 percent of food service workers were characterized as rent-burdened.

Related: Teacher Housing Project In Palo Alto Gets Supervisors' Approval

Construction on the 110-unit Palo Alto housing project for teachers is expected to begin this fall.

The project at 231 Grant Avenue, proposed by Supervisor Joe Simitian in 2018, is expected to provide units to six school districts in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties.

Peter Landsberger, a trustee for the Foothill-De Anza Community College District, submitted a public comment to the supervisors urging them to approve the referral.

“As noted in the reasons for the recommendation, the need for affordable housing for teachers and other school employees is well‐documented,” Landsberger wrote. “Santa Clara County has taken important steps to address that need and it should now build on that momentum.

"Foothill‐De Anza signed‐on as an early partner in the educator workforce housing project the Board approved in Palo Alto and I anticipate the district will be eager to explore a similar County‐led project in the West Valley.”