“Because there is such a profound educator shortage, districts may decide investing in educator housing is a necessary option.”

-Sasha Pudlski, advocacy director for AASA, the School Superintendent’s Association

Rising housing costs are making it more difficult for educators to afford teaching in certain communities in America where salaries aren’t high. What should be done about this?

Well, Kansas City offers teachers below-market rents for duplexes they share with several others, while St. Helena Parish near Baton Rouge, La. is planning on building homes and apartments for teachers, according to a recent Wall Street Journal article. Jackson Hole–one of the priciest towns in the country—provides single family homes, including a log cabin to educators.

Shouldn’t other towns follow their examples during a time when shelter prices have surged 17.6 percent from Feb. 2020 to July 2023 and the median high school teacher’s salary was $61,820 in 2021?