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News Releases » MPUSD Workforce Housing Moves Full Steam Ahead with Board Approval

MPUSD Workforce Housing Moves Full Steam Ahead with Board Approval

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 24, 2025

Contact:
Marissa Schwartz
Communications Specialist
831.601.5543

MPUSD Workforce Housing Moves Full Steam Ahead with Board Approval


Monterey, CA - The Monterey Peninsula Unified School District’s vision for affordable employee housing is officially becoming a reality. During its regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting on September 22, 2025, the MPUSD board approved the application criteria and lottery process for the district’s new workforce housing community at 2300 Garden in Monterey. This action signals the launch of the long-anticipated project that will provide below-market rental housing for MPUSD employees (teachers and classified, non-teaching staff), a critical step in helping teachers and staff live where they work.

“This is the real deal,” said PK Diffenbaugh, Superintendent, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District. “With Board approval, we are officially moving forward and delivering on our promise to provide affordable, high-quality housing for MPUSD employees. Too often we’ve recruited incredible educators who are drawn to the vision and culture we’re creating, only to lose them when the reality of housing costs sets in. Our teachers and staff love this community, but many simply can’t afford to live here. This project is about changing that and retaining the talented people we have and attracting the highly qualified educators our students deserve.”


Applications are expected to open in November 2025, with the first residents moving in by December 2025.

Eligibility and Priority

  • Open to certificated and classified (non teaching ranks) employees working at least 0.8 FTE (management not eligible).
  • Rent levels aligned with very low income standards for Monterey County, significantly below market rate.
  • A lottery system will assign units, reserving 70% for certificated and 30% for classified employees.
  • Tenants may lease units for up to five years, with a possible two-year extension.

Sample Rent Levels

  • Studios: ~$1,265/month
  • Two-bedrooms: ~$1,628/month


Next Steps

  • October 2025: Finalize guidelines, approve lottery rules, and prepare leasing documents.
  • November 2025: Open applications, conduct screening, and hold a lottery.
  • December 2025: Begin move-ins, managed by BLVD Residential.


For more information and updates, visit our website at www.mpusd.net/apps/news/article/2106506.


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