State regulator Thurmond launches state plan to develop 2.3 million new housing units using developable land owned by California schools

July 29, 2024

Millions of new housing units created by using developable land owned by schools in California

SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond will hold a press conference at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 30, to launch a statewide effort to accelerate housing construction by leveraging the significant amount of development land owned by California’s local education agencies (LEAs).

Collectively, the California LEAs own 75,000 acres of developable land, which has the potential to create an estimated 2.3 million new homes in the state. According to recent data from the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA), California’s housing shortage could be addressed by creating 2.5 million new homes over the next eight-year development cycle.

“California’s housing crisis is undeniable, but it is not unsolvable,” said Superintendent Thurmond. “We know that families across our state are being hurt, from the homeless crisis plaguing our urban areas, to the long commutes that are affecting families who are being priced out of once affordable neighborhoods, to the staffing crisis in schools where teachers can’t afford to live where they work. I believe California has the resources and ingenuity to solve this, and the data shows that California’s schools have the land to make it happen. As school leaders, we can do this for our communities and restore the California Dream.”

During Tuesday’s press conference, Superintendent Thurmond will convene local and state leaders with a track record of successful housing projects on California school district lands.

Following Tuesday’s press conference, Superintendent Thurmond will convene a panel of housing experts at a Housing Summit on August 14 to identify policy recommendations that can accelerate housing development across the state. For information about the Housing Summit, contact Jenna Anderson at (e-mail address).

WHO:State Inspector of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond

WHEN:Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at 10:00 AM

WHERE:Media Room at CDE Headquarters, 1430 N Street, in Sacramento. Direct access to the Media Room is located on 15th Street on the east side of the building.

CONTACT:Members of the press wishing to attend should register with Liz Sanders, CDE Director of Communications, at 916-268-2081 or (e-mail address).

All other questions can be directed to(e-mail address).

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