Staff Housing
Santa Lucia Apartments Brings 20 Measure N Homes to Soledad Teachers and School Staff
Soledad Unified School District to hold grand opening and ribbon-cutting for Santa Lucia Apartments Tuesday, October 27 at 4:00 p.m.
SOLEDAD, Calif. — Soledad Unified School District will hold a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for Santa Lucia Apartments, its new workforce housing community, on Tuesday, October 27, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. at 183 Soledad Street in downtown Soledad. The public is invited.
The 20-unit apartment building was constructed exclusively for District employees and funded by Measure N, the bond approved by Soledad voters in November 2020. Located within walking distance of District schools, it is among the first school-district-built employee housing projects in Monterey County. The District pursued the project to help recruit and keep teachers and classified staff in a region where housing scarcity has pushed employees into long commutes from outside the city.
The Project
A two-story building of roughly 23,000 square feet on a 0.69-acre site at the corner of Monterey Street and Soledad Street in downtown Soledad.
20 apartments
- 12 one-bedroom units of approximately 650 square feet
- 8 two-bedroom units of approximately 1,000 square feet
- Nine units on the first floor, eleven on the second
- Two ground-floor units built with full mobility features
Amenities
- Residents' lounge
- Conference and library room
- Dedicated bicycle storage
- Exterior concrete courtyard with surrounding landscaping
- Private balconies
- On-site parking beneath a solar carport structure
- Secured vehicle and pedestrian gates
Funding
The community is funded by Measure N, the general obligation bond approved by Soledad Unified School District voters on November 3, 2020 with more than 60 percent support. Measure N authorized up to $13.75 million in bonds for teacher and staff rental housing and for student technology.
Project Team
Owner: Soledad Unified School District
Development Partner: Education Housing Partners
Architect: 19six Architects, Santa Cruz
General Contractor: Ausonio Inc.
Education Housing Partners Inc. developed California's first school-district employee housing community, Casa del Maestro for Santa Clara Unified, and has since partnered on district housing across the state. Throughout construction, the District, Ausonio, 19six Architects, and Education Housing Partners met weekly to coordinate progress, review materials, and finalize finishes.
Background
- November 3, 2020 — Soledad voters approve Measure N, authorizing the District to build rental housing for its own teachers and staff.
- October 23, 2024 — The Soledad City Council approves an affordable housing agreement with the District for the project.
- April 7, 2025 — The building permit is approved and construction drawings are issued.
- May 9, 2025 — The District breaks ground at the site.
- October 27, 2026 — Grand opening and ribbon-cutting.
About Soledad Unified School District
Soledad Unified School District serves students in Monterey County's Salinas Valley across five elementary schools, Main Street Middle School, Soledad High School, and the Community Education Center. The District is headquartered at 1261 Metz Road, Soledad, CA 93960.
Media Information
Event: Grand opening and ribbon-cutting, Santa Lucia Apartments
Date and time: Tuesday, October 27, 2026, 4:00 p.m.
Location: 183 Soledad Street, Soledad, CA 93960
Staff Housing for SUSD Employees
Live where you teach. Thrive where you belong.
A commitment to our educators.
A solution for our community.
A place to call home.
Our Challenge
Housing shouldn’t be a barrier to teaching
Like many communities in California, Soledad faces limited housing availability and rising rental costs. For educators, especially those new to the profession or relocating from outside the area, finding safe, affordable housing close to work can be a significant challenge.
SUSD chose to act.
The Solution
The SUSD Housing Community
In November 2020, Soledad residents passed Measure N, approving $12 million in bond funding to support the construction of a Staff Housing Community for Soledad Unified School District employees.
Slated for development at the corner of Monterey Street and Soledad Street, this district-led workforce housing community is designed to provide high-quality, affordable rental housing exclusively for eligible district staff. It will include 20 one- and two-bedroom units, shared common areas, solar panels, onsite parking, and other thoughtfully planned amenities.
This effort reflects the district’s belief that supporting employees beyond the school day strengthens success in the classroom. By investing in stable, affordable housing for educators and staff, SUSD is reinforcing its commitment to workforce stability, staff wellbeing, and long-term student achievement.
Who is Eligible?
Housing for the people who serve our students
Staff housing is intended for:
- Teachers
- Classified professionals
- Administrative and support staff
Eligibility and rental terms will be guided by an independent housing board to ensure fairness, transparency, and long-term sustainability.
Why This Matters
Your classroom is here. Your home should be too.
Living closer to work means:
- Shorter commutes
- Reduced transportation costs
- More time for family, rest, and professional growth
- Stronger connections to colleagues and the community
For new educators, it provides peace of mind during a major life transition. And for experienced educators, it offers long-term housing stability in a supportive district community.
A Message to Prospective Educators
You’re not just taking a job—you’re joining a community.
When new employees are hired at SUSD they are not just accepting a position—they are joining a community that values respect, support, stability, and having a voice. Our Staff Housing Community reflects who we are as a district: innovative, people-centered, and committed to doing what’s right for our team.
Project Status
From a vision to reality
The Staff Housing Community has moved through extensive planning and preconstruction work, including:
- Site acquisition and approvals
- Design and engineering
- Infrastructure planning
- Financing and governance development
This project is now in the construction phase, with housing units expected to be move-in ready by September 2026—in time for the 2026-27 school year. This is a real, tangible investment in our workforce, one that moves beyond vision and into action.
Community Features
Designed for educators. Built for the community.
The Staff Housing Community will offer:
- Modern, well-designed apartment homes, including 12 one-bedroom units and 8 two-bedroom units to meet diverse staff needs
- Below-market rental rates to support affordability and long-term stability
- Safe, well-maintained grounds
- Convenient access to school sites and local amenities
- A thoughtfully planned neighborhood designed to foster connection and belonging
This is not temporary housing—it is a long-term investment in staff stability and wellbeing.
Interested in Living & Teaching in Soledad?
Discover how SUSD supports educators both in and out of the classroom. Learn more about:
- Exciting teaching opportunities
- Available staff housing
- Life and amenities in the Soledad community
Have Questions?
Contact SUSD’s Human Resources Department at (831) 678-3950 to learn more about teaching opportunities, staff housing, and joining our community.
About Soledad USD
A district that invests in its people
The Soledad Unified School District serves a vibrant, close-knit community in Monterey County. Our district is built on strong relationships, a commitment to equity, and a deep respect for the educators and staff who serve our students every day.
We know that attracting and retaining high-quality educators depends on more than competitive salaries—it requires real support for quality of life. That belief led to the creation of our Staff Housing Community, a first-of-its-kind initiative designed specifically for the people who serve Soledad’s students.
