Hays County Independent School District (HCISD) broke ground on Sept. 1 for Live Oak Commons, a new 362‑home subdivision designed specifically for district employees. The development, built on land owned by the district, is a partnership with Upward Communities, a nonprofit developer that works with school districts, cities and counties to provide long‑term housing for public‑sector workers.
Why the project matters
With more than 600 district employees on a waiting list for affordable housing, HCISD sees Live Oak Commons as a critical tool for recruiting and retaining teachers, administrators and support staff. Superintendent Eric Wright said the community will give renters a true “neighborhood feel,” fostering connections among coworkers and improving overall quality of life.
Features and pricing
The homes will range from one‑ to four‑bedroom layouts, each with a private yard, playgrounds and pocket parks. Rent will be set below market value; a typical local rental costs $1,500‑$1,800 per month, a price many teachers, like HCISD educator Destiny Horton, cannot afford on a single income.
Funding and risk
The project will cost no taxpayers money because the district already owns the land. Upward Communities received financing from Public Private Development Corp., a nonprofit organization, to construct the homes. Chief Human Resources Officer Christina Courson noted the land was unsuitable for a new school campus, making the housing use a practical alternative.
Impact on growth and recruitment
HCISD has experienced rapid growth, with teacher numbers rising from 1,391 in 2021 to 1,579 in 2025 and enrollment climbing from 21,345 to over 25,000. The east side of the district, where Live Oak Commons will sit, is one of the fastest‑growing areas and the site of future high‑school and middle‑school construction pending a bond measure. By placing affordable housing close to these schools, the district hopes to reduce commute times and make the east side more attractive to prospective staff.
Broader teacher‑retention challenges
Statewide, teacher retention has slipped dramatically. First‑year teachers now stay at about 90% of the rate they once did, while only roughly 56% remain by their fifth year. Attrition rates have risen from 10.34% to 12.08% over the past decade, reaching 13.45% in 2022‑23. HCISD’s leadership sees Live Oak Commons as a competitive advantage, allowing the district to compete not just with other school districts but with private‑sector careers that often offer higher wages and housing benefits.
Expansion to other districts
Lockhart ISD has already broken ground on a similar Upward Communities subdivision, and San Marcos CISD is in preliminary talks about a partnership. San Marcos CISD’s board of trustees will consider a potential housing project at its Sept. 21 meeting, with trustee Juan Miguel Arredondo emphasizing the need to improve staff quality of life while staying within limited district budgets.
Community response
Teachers and staff who have toured the site express excitement about the prospect of owning or renting a home where their children can have their own rooms and a safe yard to play. The development is expected to strengthen community ties among district employees and provide a stable, family‑friendly environment that aligns with traditional family values.
Live Oak Commons represents a proactive, faith‑aligned approach to solving a pressing local problem: affordable housing for those who educate our children. By leveraging private‑sector expertise and nonprofit financing, HCISD aims to set a model for other districts facing similar recruitment challenges.
Original reporting: Community Impact — Austin — read the source article.
