2024 Mar 1 Support letter AB 2530 State Architect to provide technical assistance to build housing for school employees

March 1, 2024

Assemblymember Alex Lee
1021 O Street, Room 6330
Sacramento, CA 95814

Re: Support for Assembly Bill 2530 State Architect to provide technical assistance to build housing for school employees.

Dear Assemblymember Lee:

On behalf of the Marin County Board of Supervisors, I write in support of Assembly Bill 2530 requiring the State Architect to establish a program to provide technical assistance to public school districts to build housing for school employees.

The need for affordable housing in our communities has never been greater, most importantly for our public service workforce – which includes educators. In Marin, the County has committed to collaboration with local school districts to create affordable housing opportunities for our public school employees, so that they can live in the communities they serve. However, in this work, we know that school districts simply do not have the same level of technical expertise to pursue and take advantage of housing development opportunities as local governments. This bill would provide that critical need, by directing the State Architect to provide targeted support and expertise to districts on the successful design and development of employee housing.

Across California, the housing crisis coupled with salaries in education unable to keep up with the cost of living has led to worsening educational outcomes, higher teacher turnover, and school staffing shortages as employees struggle to live in the communities where they work. Many school employees have long commutes from neighboring counties, as they cannot afford to live in Marin. In our work with our local school districts, we see that they share the goal of wanting workforce housing for their employees – however, school districts simply do not have the staffing expertise, let alone the bandwidth to develop housing.

Locally, we have taken steps to fill in this gap. Last year, the County of Marin entered into a MOU with the Marin County Office of Education to create a joint powers authority for the development of 250 apartments for lower-income workforce housing, with more than half reserved for public school and county employees.

We believe this is a replicable model. We know that other school districts in Marin, including San Rafael City Schools and Novato Schools, have available property that they would like to develop for staff and teacher housing. With support from the State Architect on building standards, accessibility, and compliance; these school districts will be better equipped to navigate the challenges and complexities of building affordable housing for their employees – and importantly, move the work forward and maintain consistency even with Superintendent turnover. Public school employees deserve the opportunity to live in the communities they have dedicated their careers to serving.

Sincerely,

Dennis Rodoni, President
Marin County Board of Supervisors

Cc: Marin County Board of Supervisors
Senator Mike McGuire
Assemblymember Damon Connolly