KCPS Proposes Renovating School Building into Affordable Teacher Housing

The Kansas City Public School District (KCPS) is considering converting the closed Bryant School campus into affordable housing units for teachers to address the housing affordability crisis. The plan aims to create up to 40 units, ranging from studios to multi-room apartments. This initiative follows a survey indicating that 75% of KCPS teachers, and 90% of those under 25, struggle with housing costs. Despite these efforts, concerns remain, such as the potential lack of separation between work and home life and the exclusion of other low-paid school workers. Unions argue for alternative solutions, like selling properties to raise wages and improve classroom resources. The project would require a mix of traditional financing, historic tax credits, and philanthropic support to reduce rent rates for teachers.