Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke

SB941 simultaneously addresses the teacher shortage, need for affordable housing, and early child care

HONOLULU, HI — Today, a bill to develop housing for public school teachers and educators passed its final committee. SB941 authorizes the state’s School Facilities Authority (SFA) to partner with public and private agencies to construct teacher housing with early child care centers, beginning at Mililani, Nānākuli, and Waipahu high schools

SB941 is a key component of Lt. Governor Sylvia Luke’s Ready Keiki initiative. Affordable teacher housing is a well-established solution to recruit and retain teachers, particularly as the state prioritizes statewide preschool expansion.

Lt. Governor Luke stated, “This is a monumental step for providing affordable housing and childcare for our educators. This concept of integrating childcare with housing for educators will go a long way in not just attracting educators, but retaining them in this line of work.”

Along with SB941, $170 million was added for the teacher housing plan in a final version of the state budget bill which passed Tuesday.

SB941 CD1 will be up for a final vote on the floor in both House and Senate chambers before being transmitted to the Governor for passage. Learn more about Ready Keiki here.

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Media Contact:
Shari Nishijima
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