A photo of the site of the proposed workforce housing for Santa Cruz City Schools.

Teacher housing is planned at 313 Swift St. in Santa Cruz. (Stephen Baxter — Santa Cruz Local)

Last updated: May 2024

Project name: Santa Cruz City Schools workforce housing

Location: 313 Swift St., Santa Cruz 

The proposed site is a vacant lot next to Gateway School on the Westside of Santa Cruz

A map of 313 Swift St.

Status

  • The Santa Cruz City Schools Board of Education is set to consider plans for the project June 12, 2024. If approved, the district will submit a full application to city planners.
  • At a May 6, 2024 community meeting, Santa Cruz City Schools presented plans for a project with 100 units. A previous design had 80 units.
  • The project would require consideration by the Santa Cruz Planning Commission and final approval by Santa Cruz City Council.

Developer

Santa Cruz City Schools. Separate firms are expected to construct and manage the buildings. 

Project description

  • Total units: 100.
  • Affordable units: All units will be rented at 50-60% of market rate. The units are not restricted by income. 
  • Height: 50 feet.
  • Details: The homes would be open to all district employees except administrators. The school district would own the buildings. 

The project would include:

  • A four-story building with three wings.
  • 11 studios, 27 one-bedroom apartments, 46 two-bedroom apartments and 16 three-bedroom apartments.
  • A driveway out to Swift Street and another to Delaware Avenue through the Ivéta Westside parking lot.
  • A walking path along the complex from Swift Street to Sgt. Derby Park
  • There would be 127 surface parking spaces on the north edge of the site, along with sheds for bike storage.
  • Existing buildings on the east side of the site, which would be converted for use by residents and the school district.
The proposed site of a housing development for Santa Cruz City Schools workers.

A teacher housing project is planned next to Gateway School on Swift Street in Santa Cruz. (Santa Cruz City Schools)

An aerial-view rendering of the proposed Santa Cruz City Schools workforce housing.

An aerial rendering of the proposed educator housing project includes two existing single-story buildings and a new building with three wings. (Santa Cruz City Schools)

A site plan depicts the proposed teacher housing at 313 Swift St.

Read more

How to make your voice heard

Submit comments and questions on the City of Santa Cruz project page for 313 Swift St.

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