Housing Proposal For West Valley Teachers Gets Nod From Supervisors

LOS GATOS, CA — The West Valley could soon be getting a plan to develop housing for teachers after the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a proposal at this week’s meeting.

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.

“We know there’s a shortage of affordable housing for educators,” Simitian said in a news release. “But there are solutions. When our kids’ teachers can spend fewer hours in the car each day, stick around to help a struggling student, participate in after-school activities, and put down roots in the community, it’s really a winner all-around. Better for the teachers, better for students, and better for the environment.”

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.

“There is a great need in our community for high-quality teachers so anything we can do to help keep teachers in the area and attract new ones benefits our kids and schools,” Lee said. “This project has the potential to bring together a variety of partners to create something special for our educators.”

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.