The Santa Barbara Unified School District has taken a step toward building affordable housing for teachers and district staff. 

The school board unanimously approved a plan to repurchase 3.65 acres of what’s known as the Tatum property, located next to El Camino Elementary School at San Marcos Road and San Simeon Drive, to build affordable housing.

Board president William Banning said this moment was a long time coming. 

“This is a landmark kind of activity,” Banning said.

The project will include 106 units. All will be income-restricted for households at or below 80% of the area median income.

Priority housing will go to school district employees, and employees at other school districts will receive housing as a secondary priority. Eight units will also be reserved for veterans, and there will be one manager’s unit.

In 2021, the school board agreed to sell the 24-acre property to a private developer, Red Tail, for $17 million, on the condition that a portion of it be returned for affordable staff housing.

Under the newly approved deal, the district bought back the site for $7.4 million. The developer financed the entire purchase price, meaning no money left the district at closing, according to district spokesman Ed Zuchelli.

“We all know the cost of living in our area is one of the hardest challenges facing public education,” said Joanna Powell, the district’s legal counsel. “Our teachers, classified staff and other employees deserve to live in the community they serve and this is opening a door for that. 

The Housing Authority of Santa Barbara County will manage the building. The district will own the land, but not the buildings, for 99 years.

Bob Havlicek, executive director of the County Housing Authority, said staff will have to apply for housing. It will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. 

The waitlist will likely open eight or nine months before construction is completed. 

District board member Rose Muñoz said this is the culmination of “something huge” that’s been in the works for years.

“This is what we wanted from the beginning,” Muñoz said. “For our employees to be able to have housing and to prioritize them so that we can have employees that are not commuting, that are able to live with their families here.”

A groundbreaking for the project is tentatively planned for July 22. Construction is expected to last for three years.