Innovative TRiO Program Secures Another $6M in Funding

Teachers Rooted in Oakland (TRiO), a unique program that offers discounted housing and philanthropically-funded housing stipends to Oakland United School District (OUSD) teachers, has secured $5 million in funding from the State of California and another $1 million from Bank of America.

The program, which focuses on Black, LatinX and other teachers of color, is an affordable housing marketplace that allows the OUSD’s 2,000 teachers to search and apply for local apartments at discounted rates. This summer, 23 teachers have signed leases at below-market rents thanks to the TRiO program.

“The very people we trust to inspire and prepare our students face immense barriers to finding comfortable, safe housing near their schools that they can actually afford. I’m proud that a pilot program from our office has grown into systemic change that supports Oakland’s beloved teachers,” said Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf.

Yat-Pang Au from property firm Veritas, which is participating in the program, said, “Housing and education go hand in hand. I want to encourage all property firms and owners to look a their portfolio and see how they can participate in TRiO.”