We’ve been in a nationwide teacher shortage for the last few years and it doesn’t show any sign of slowing down. It’s so bad that many districts are building housing to attract teachers.
Here’s Five Fast Facts on Teacher Housing:
- 🎒 Home Economics - According to the National Council on Teacher Quality, many teachers’ starting salary cannot cover a one-bedroom rental. Since 2017, the average American home price has risen 40% and one-bedroom rent in metro areas has increased 22%! During the same time teacher salaries have only risen 15%. It’s led to teachers living away from the communities where they teach.
- 💰 Lunch Money - What’s more, the average salary for teachers was only $41,770, an increase of 1.4% over the previous school year. But when you adjust for inflation it’s a 4% decrease.
- 🏫 Schoolhouse Rock - It has led districts to take action and open affordable teacher housing on school-owned property. Most of the housing has been funded by non-profits.
- 🧮 Math - One district has built 122 one-bedroom apartments for teachers and staff. Teachers pay $1,500 a month in rent with a five year maximum lease. Another district plans to lease school property for a complex that would include shops and teacher housing to create funds to increase their pay.
- 🌲Nope - The project has opponents in some areas, mainly from environmental groups. They want more affordable housing in taller buildings. That’s a strange reason but they say the taller buildings would take up less space.
🔥Bottom line: There’s several frustrating things going on here. Teachers are incredibly underpaid and the housing market is a nightmare. It’s a burden that’s causing educators (and other staff) to quit and look for work in other industries. District-provided housing can help them get a leg up, but it’s sad that we’re at this point.
What do you think about the teacher shortage?
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