S
an Jose Unified School District plans to build a 288‑unit apartment complex at 760 Hillsdale Ave. for its staff, offering rents that employees can afford. The site, an undeveloped parcel beside State Route 87, sits adjacent to the district’s Silicon Valley Education Campus and is within a light‑rail‑served urban village.

    Chief business officer Seth Reddy says “workplace housing” is a critical need because district wages cannot cover the high cost of living in the city. He notes that even the district’s best‑paid workers struggle to find affordable housing. The project aims to match market‑rate quality while keeping units accessible to all employees, with potential income restrictions under the entitlement process.

    The district’s bond measure, approved in November 2024, provides $1.15 billion for capital projects. Of that, $282.5 million is earmarked for the Hillsdale development, according to land‑use consultant Erik Schoennauer. The city is falling short of its state‑mandated goal to build 7,775 units per year over an eight‑year period, and Schoennauer urges San Jose officials to accelerate approvals for projects on underutilized sites like Hillsdale.

    San Jose State University is also planning a 1,000‑unit complex to replace the aging Alquist State Building downtown, reflecting a broader push to address the “missing middle” of workers who earn too much for affordable housing but too little for market‑rate rentals.

    Reddy emphasizes that the district wants the new housing to attract and retain high‑quality staff who serve students. The development’s proximity to transit and its location in an urban village are expected to generate sufficient demand. The district’s goal is to provide affordable, high‑quality housing that supports its workforce and strengthens the community.