Soledad Unified Unveils 20 Workforce Apartments for Teachers and School Staff

SOLEDAD, Calif. — Soledad Unified School District has marked a major step in its effort to make housing more attainable for teachers and other school employees with the opening celebration of Santa Lucia Apartments, a new 20-unit workforce housing community at 183 Soledad Street.

The school district scheduled a public grand opening and ribbon-cutting for October 27, 2026. The apartments are reserved for district employees and are within walking distance of several schools, an important consideration for staff who otherwise commute from outside the city.

What is inside the building?

According to district information and local reporting, the two-story development includes 12 one-bedroom and eight two-bedroom apartments, with a lounge, library room and private parking. The district received about 50 applications and selected tenants through a lottery process.

Reported rents are $1,725 per month for a one-bedroom and $2,025 for a two-bedroom, with the district positioning the homes at about 75% of prevailing market rents. Move-ins are expected to begin November 1.

Funded by local voters

Soledad voters approved Measure N in November 2020 to support housing for employees. The district identifies the project as part of that bond-funded effort, developed with Education Housing Partners, designed by 19six Architects and built by Ausonio Inc.

The project is intended to help recruit and retain workers in a community where housing shortages can make it difficult for schools to keep teachers. It is not a general-public affordable housing complex: eligibility is tied to employment with Soledad Unified.

What families should know

Adding district housing may help employees live closer to the students they serve, but the apartments will not resolve all local housing needs. Availability, employee eligibility and future applications are managed by the district.

Official project information is available at Soledad Unified’s staff-housing page.

Illustrative photograph: Luke van Zyl / Unsplash. This is not Santa Lucia Apartments in Soledad.

Sources: Soledad Unified School District, Santa Lucia Apartments announcement; Salinas Valley Now, October 26, 2026.

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