Below-market-rate apartments for teachers and school staff are proposed near Swift Street in Santa Cruz. (EHDD Architecture)
Last updated: April 2025
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.
Status
- The Santa Cruz City Council is expected to consider the project in May 2025.
- Feb. 6, 2025, the Santa Cruz Planning Commission voted in support of the project.
- The Santa Cruz City Schools Board of Education submitted plans for the project in June 2024.
- At a May 6, 2024 community meeting, Santa Cruz City Schools presented plans for the project with 100 units. A previous design had 80 units.
Developer
Santa Cruz City Schools is the developer. Separate firms are expected to construct and manage the buildings.
Project description
- Total units: 100.
- Affordable units: All units will be rented at 60-65% 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 connected by open air bridges.
- 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.
- 119 parking spaces on the north edge of the site, along with sheds for bike storage.
- Existing buildings on the east side of the site would be converted for use by residents and the school district.
A teacher housing project is planned next to Gateway School on Swift Street in Santa Cruz. (Santa Cruz City Schools)
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)
Teacher housing is planned at 313 Swift St. in Santa Cruz. (Stephen Baxter — Santa Cruz Local)
One-hundred apartments are proposed near the 300 block of Swift Street in Santa Cruz. (EHDD Architecture)
A rendering shows a four-story apartment complex near the 300 block of Swift Street. (EHDD Architecture)
Housing is proposed on the 300 block of Swift Street. (EHDD Architecture)
Homes are proposed near Swift Street and Sgt. Derby Park. (EHDD Architecture)
Read more
- Housing proposal for school staff heads to Santa Cruz City Council — Feb. 24, 2025
- Teacher housing planned detailed for Swift Street in Santa Cruz — May 8, 2024
- City of Santa Cruz’s project application page for 313 Swift St.
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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