Hays CISD is taking a significant step to support its staff by developing a 362-home community, currently unnamed, near Uhland Elementary School. This initiative aims to provide affordable housing options for the district’s employees, helping to retain and recruit talented teachers and staff.
The Need for Affordable Housing
The district has been facing challenges in attracting and retaining staff due to the rising cost of living in the area. Superintendent Eric Wright emphasized the importance of creative solutions to address this issue, stating that attainable housing for educators and staff is essential for the community’s growth.
The community will feature a range of dwellings, from one-bedroom cottages to four-bedroom homes, along with various amenities such as a pool, sports lounge, private event space, children’s playground, and outdoor sports fields. Upward Communities, a nonprofit group, is partnering with the district to deliver this project.
Partnership and Planning
HCISD has been working with Upward Communities to develop a system to determine who will be selected to live in the community, with over 600 employees currently on the waitlist. The district already owns the land on which the community will be built, and the development is expected to be completed in 2027 or 2028.
The Hays Homes program is part of the district’s efforts to support its staff and address the growing number of teachers leaving the field. According to the Texas Education Agency, teacher retention rates have dropped significantly over the past decade, with attrition rates rising from 10.34% to 12.08%.
A Solution to the Teacher Shortage
By providing affordable housing options, HCISD aims to give its staff a better quality of life and reduce the financial burdens that may be driving them to leave the profession. This initiative is seen as a vital tool in the district’s efforts to compete with other professions and attract top talent to the education sector.
Original reporting: Community Impact — Austin — read the source article.
