Oakland Houses Teachers of Color

Oakland officials have expanded their Teacher Rooted in Oakland program, which provides housing to teachers of color through “stipends and reduced-price housing”, by announcing an addition 18 teachers eligible for the program — in addition to the 12 teachers given housing in November last year.

In 2021, it is important that we prioritize teacher diversity, especially in diverse communities such as Oakland. An initiative that allows teachers of color remain in their communities (50% of recipients are Bay Area born and raised) is a step in the right direction. Not only does the program allow teachers who are already familiar with Oakland to thrive and help cultivate the community, it has come at such an important time when the pandemic created an unprecedented teacher shortage. Hopefully in the future, this program can be expanded to more POC teachers, if not all teachers, in the city, especially since teachers have continuously struggled to pay their rent with such low wages.

1st of its kind: Oakland expands housing program for teachers of color

By Lisa Fernandez, KTVU | 9/29/2021