SOLEDAD — Soledad Unified School District celebrated the grand opening of Santa Lucia Apartments last month, marking the completion of a 20-unit workforce housing development for district teachers and staff.
The two-story apartment building, located at 183 Soledad St. in downtown Soledad, was funded through Measure N, the $13.75 million general obligation bond approved by voters in November 2020. The project was designed to help the district recruit and retain employees amid a regional housing shortage that has forced some school staff to commute from outside the city.
The development is within walking distance of district schools and is among the first employee housing projects built by a school district in Monterey County.
“Thank you to everyone who joined Soledad Unified School District for the grand opening and ribbon-cutting of Santa Lucia Apartments,” the district said following the Oct. 27 ceremony. “We’re excited to celebrate this milestone and the addition of 20 new workforce housing units for our District employees.”
The apartments include 12 one-bedroom units of about 650 square feet and eight two-bedroom units of about 1,000 square feet. Two ground-floor apartments feature full mobility accommodations.
The approximately 23,000-square-foot development also includes a residents’ lounge, conference and library room, bicycle storage, private balconies, a landscaped courtyard and parking beneath a solar carport. Secured vehicle and pedestrian gates provide controlled access.
Mayor Anna Velazquez congratulated the district and thanked Soledad voters for approving Measure N, as well as the city for selling the redevelopment property to the school district.
“Otherwise, this housing development would not have been built in the downtown corridor located near so many amenities,” Velazquez said.
She also noted that, under the city’s inclusionary housing ordinance, three apartments have restricted affordability — two for very-low-income households and one for moderate-income households — “ensuring a mix of affordability levels that reflect our diverse community needs.”
The district partnered with Education Housing Partners on the development, with 19six Architects of Santa Cruz serving as architect and Ausonio Inc. as general contractor. Education Housing Partners previously developed Casa del Maestro for Santa Clara Unified School District, California’s first school-district employee housing community, and has since worked with other districts across the state.
Construction began May 2025, following city approval of an affordable housing agreement in October 2024 and issuance of the building permit in April 2025. Measure N, approved by more than 60% of Soledad voters in November 2020, authorized up to $13.75 million in bonds for employee rental housing and student technology.
Ausonio said the project represents an investment in the educators and school employees who serve the community, thanking the district, Education Housing Partners and 19six Architects for their collaboration.
“With a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments, shared amenities and a convenient downtown location, the development helps address the growing need for attainable workforce housing in our region,” the contractor said.
The district also thanked its Food Service Team for providing food at last week’s celebration and San Vicente Elementary’s folklorico dancers for their performance during the event.
“We’re grateful to everyone who helped make this project possible and to our guests who made this celebration so memorable. Thank you for being part of this exciting moment for our school community,” the district added.
