(COLORADO SPRINGS) — A Colorado Springs school district plans to build affordable homes for its teachers. Harrison School District 2 (HSD2) hopes the project will help attract new teachers and offer them a sense of community in Southern Colorado.
HSD2 is currently planning to build 40, 352-square-foot duplexes on an acre parcel at the district’s Mountain Vista Community School.
“We have known that there’s been a teacher shortage in the state and nationally over the last two, three years,” Dr. Mike Claudio, Assistant Superintendent of Personnel Support Services explained. “COVID-19 really made it pronounced and so we were looking at different ways of how we can attract talent to our district.”
The $6 million project will offer electrically powered homes at a rent of $825 a month. The average rent in Colorado Springs is $1,720 per month, according to Forbes Advisor.
“When I go out to recruit, one of the questions people ask me is, ‘Can I afford to live in Colorado Springs?’ I tell them you can’t, you know you have to find a roommate, you cannot do it on your own,” Dr. Claudio said.
Model of Wendy’s Village at Harrison School District 2 in Colorado Springs.
HSD2 believes the project is the solution and named it Wendy’s Village after its superintendent, Dr. Wendy Birhanzel.
“Folks are saying, ‘Just pay teachers more.’ Well if we had that ability we would have done it already,” Dr. Claudio explained. “We don’t have that ability so the next best thing is to provide them affordable housing.”
The salary for new teachers in the district is $47,545 and educators are already interested in the project.
“We’re looking for that new talent,” Dr. Claudio said. “So anyone who makes a teacher starting salary or below will be able to apply for Wendy’s Village.”
The construction timeline for Wendy’s Village will depend on fundraising. HSD2 has partnered with We Fortify, a local nonprofit to help turn the project into a reality.
$2 million needed for the project has already been raised.
“There would be no district funds utilized for Wendy’s Village,” Dr. Claudio explained.” “What we’re asking is for private donations, private fundraising as much as possible so we can get the money we need to get this project off the ground.”
