MIAMI, FL – In a move designed to address the critical shortage of affordable housing for educators, Miami has opened its doors to Southside Preparatory Academy, a unique middle school that features integrated on-site housing for teachers and school staff. This innovative development in the bustling Brickell neighborhood is being hailed as a potential model for other districts grappling with the rising cost of living and its impact on teacher retention.
A First-of-Its-Kind Initiative
The newly constructed seven-story building, located at 945 SW 3rd Avenue, now houses both the Southside Preparatory Academy, serving approximately 610 middle school students, and ten one-bedroom studio apartments specifically for educators and other Miami-Dade County Public School (MDCPS) employees. This groundbreaking project, a collaboration between MDCPS and Miami-Dade County Public Housing and Community Development, marks one of the first instances in Florida where educational facilities and affordable workforce housing are combined within a single structure.
“This project is incredibly unique,” stated Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins. “We also have a lack of affordable housing. The county and the school system partnered, and we’re solving all of these community needs with one project”. The aim is to ease the daily commute for teachers, reduce their living expenses, and ultimately attract and retain vital teaching talent within the community.
Addressing Miami’s Housing Crunch for Educators
Miami’s escalating cost of living has made it increasingly challenging for teachers to afford to live in the communities where they work. Reports have indicated that teachers in Miami can spend a significant portion of their income on rent, sometimes exceeding 70% for starting salaries, a situation exacerbated by Florida’s relatively low teacher pay compared to national averages.
“We have a facility now where neighbors can live affordably, kids can go to school, and teachers can live in workforce housing in the neighborhood they serve,” explained Commissioner Higgins. Raul Perez, MDCPS Chief of Facilities Design and Construction, highlighted the practical benefits, noting that the subsidized rental rates make it a “great opportunity” for teachers, especially those starting their careers, to “live where they work and play”.
The 10 apartments, situated on the first and second floors of the new building, are designed to be separate from school operations, featuring independent entrances and amenities. These units are intended for households earning 80% of the area median income or less, with MDCPS employees receiving priority. Monthly rents are capped at a maximum of $1,703, a significant relief in the Miami rental market.
Application Process and Future Outlook
Applications for these coveted apartments are slated to open in mid-November 2025, managed by Miami-Dade Public Housing. Given the anticipated high demand, officials expect to utilize a lottery system to award the units. The development is part of a larger, multi-million dollar effort by MDCPS to explore workforce housing solutions, with four similar projects reportedly in the works.
This initiative at Southside Preparatory Academy is not an isolated event in Florida. Other districts are also exploring creative housing solutions for their staff. Pinellas County Schools, for example, is converting a former vocational school into 225 residential units, with a substantial portion reserved for school employees. Orange County Public Schools has also secured priority access for its employees to a set of affordable housing units.
A Trending Solution for Teacher Retention
The integration of housing within educational facilities represents a trending approach to tackle persistent challenges in the education sector. By providing accessible and affordable living options, districts hope to not only attract new educators but also foster a more stable and committed teaching force. The success and impact of the Southside Preparatory Academy model will be closely watched as other communities seek to implement similar solutions to ensure that teachers can afford to live in the vibrant cities they serve. This news offers a beacon of hope in the ongoing discussion about supporting educators and strengthening communities through innovative urban planning and development.
The $39.2 million project, which officially opened its doors this week, is a testament to the collaborative efforts between county and school officials seeking to address multiple community needs simultaneously, including school capacity, teacher shortages, and affordable housing.
