LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Unified School District is advancing efforts to address the high cost of housing for its employees by leveraging underutilized District-owned property for potential workforce housing. The Board of Education today approved the selection of affordable housing developers for two District properties and authorized the District to begin exclusive negotiations for proposed developments that could provide nearly 600 housing units for LAUSD employees.
The Board’s action moves the proposed developments into the next phase of due diligence, community engagement, design development and negotiation of final terms. Following this work, the proposed Development Agreements and Ground Leases will return to the Board for consideration and approval before the developments move forward.
The initiative responds to significant employee demand identified through a 2024 District survey. More than 6,000 of nearly 12,000 employees who responded expressed interest in affordable housing through the District, with the greatest need among employees earning between 30% and 80% of area median income. Depending on household income and size, potential residents could include teachers, nurses, school administrative staff, custodians, instructional aides, food service workers and employees in other District positions.
“As a large school district, we have a responsibility to be thoughtful and intentional about how we use the property and resources entrusted to us,” Superintendent Andrés E. Chait said. “That means looking creatively at underutilized properties and buildings and considering whether they can serve our students, employees, and communities in new ways. Today’s action is another step in that broader effort to explore responsible opportunities for our District property while remaining focused on what best serves our school communities.”
For the Fairfax site, the Board selected West Hollywood Community Housing Corporation, a nonprofit affordable housing developer, for a former administrative site at 1049 N. Fairfax Ave. The current concept includes approximately 207 studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, along with ground-floor commercial space, outdoor play areas, a community room, computer lab, fitness center and rooftop terraces.
For the Collins site, the Board selected Affirmed Housing Group. The proposed developments at the Fairfax site in West Hollywood and the Collins site in the West San Fernando Valley would provide an estimated 598 housing units combined, serving households earning between 30% and 120% of area median income. All units would be offered first to LAUSD employees, consistent with applicable state law.
Both projects would prioritize affordability across a range of household incomes, creating opportunities for employees in a variety of roles and salary levels. Depending on household income and size, potential residents could include teachers, nurses, school administrative staff, custodians, instructional aides, and food service workers. The proposed developments would be financed, operated and maintained by the affordable housing developers, with no District funding. Los Angeles Unified would retain ownership of the land.
The District has engaged employees and communities throughout the workforce housing initiative. With today’s Board action, the next phase will include site-specific community engagement focused on the current concepts for the Fairfax and Collins sites as the proposed concepts are further refined.
“This is about making better use of resources we already have to address a challenge that affects our workforce and, ultimately, our students,” Chait said. “We will continue to listen to our employees, our families and our neighbors as these developments move forward. Our goal is to be responsible stewards of District property while creating meaningful opportunities for the people who make our schools work every day.”
The next phase will include execution of Exclusive Negotiating Agreements, continued community engagement and predevelopment activities, including environmental, soil and design studies. Final terms will then return to the Board for consideration through proposed Development Agreements and Ground Leases.
BOARD MEMBER QUOTES:
Board President Scott M. Schmerelson - District 3
“I want to be clear that LAUSD is doing this out of need,” said LAUSD Board President Scott M. Schmerelson. “It is not LAUSD’s job or any educational entity to be a housing developer or landlord. But California is in a serious housing crisis, and the City and State are taking too long to respond to it. That is why I am glad that the District is taking this endeavor. We will continue to push for more affordable housing at every level of government even after this project begins.”
Board Vice President Rocío Rivas - District 2
"Expanding affordable housing for our employees is an important step toward making LA Unified a stronger and more sustainable place to work," said Board Vice President Dr. Rocío Rivas. "We have an opportunity to use public land responsibly while creating housing opportunities for the people who serve our students every day."
Sherlett Hendy Newbill – Board District 1
“The high cost of housing places in Los Angeles tremendous pressure on working families and our school employees. Advancing workforce housing is an important step toward making stable, affordable housing more accessible to the people who serve our students every day. When our employees can afford to live in the communities where they work, we strengthen retention, school stability, and ultimately student success.”
Nick Melvoin - Board District 4
“The housing crisis in Los Angeles has a direct impact on the District’s ability to recruit and retain school staff, and we want to be part of the solution. As a public entity—and one of the largest landowners in LA County—we should be finding ways to revitalize our under-utilized real estate assets to benefit the communities we serve and support the staff working in our schools. I’ve met teachers who commute 2 hours each way simply because of skyrocketing housing prices. I want our employees to be able to live closer to the schools they serve—not just to have an easier commute, but also to be a part of the broader community.”
Karla Griego - Board District 5
“With Los Angeles ranking among the nation’s most expensive rental markets, I am proud to champion these initiatives to expand affordable workforce housing for our dedicated Los Angeles Unified employees. Moving forward with the properties that lacked qualified proposals, let us continue conversations with parents, students, labor and community partners to find alternative uses that will maximize these vacant sites to meaningfully serve the evolving needs of our school communities.”
Kelly Gonez - Board District 6
“With the costs of living in Los Angeles are out of control and growing every day, this is a significant, positive step in a years-long effort to leverage District property to help our employees live in the neighborhoods where they work. I will continue to push for future housing opportunities for our workforce and for our families.”
Tanya Ortiz Franklin- Board District 7
“The need for housing affordability in Los Angeles is greater than ever. I am proud to approve this housing project as a continuation of much needed solutions for affordable housing, supporting their wellbeing and allowing them to live, work, and thrive in the communities they serve.”