Palo Alto Unified Approves New Teacher Housing

Palo Alto Unified employees will have access to 29 units of subsidized housing following a vote by the school board on Tuesday. 

By 4-1, the board voted to participate in the county’s new staff housing project at 231 Grant Ave. The cost to the district is $1.45 million. Todd Collins was the dissenting vote. 

The 110-unit housing project is a county effort, spearheaded by Santa Clara Supervisor Joe Simitian. The apartments are being built on county land across the street from the Palo Alto Courthouse and offered to school districts. The Los Altos School District and Foothill-De Anza Community College District are also purchasing units for staff. 

"This is really invaluable for some of our teachers, especially our newer teachers," said Teachers' union president Teri Baldwin, as quoted by Palo Alto Online. "I know having lived close to Palo Alto, it's great to be part of the community, and a lot of teachers can't do that because they have to travel so far away."