CHARLOTTE, N.C. — With the cost of housing rising across North Carolina, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) is seeking an out-of-the-box solution to help educators.

District leaders announced in June they’re looking into building a "teacher village" to provide affordable rental options to teachers.

What You Need To Know

  •  Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is looking into building a "teacher village" to provide affordable rental options to educators

  •  The district is also offering housing resource fairs

  •  The fairs are aimed at helping educators connect with community resources to find affordable housing and mortgage options

The district is also hosting housing resource fairs to connect teachers with other housing resources, bringing more resources to teachers like Joy Manson.

After moving back to the Charlotte area from Pender County, Manson has worked for the last three years as an ELA teacher in CMS.

“I have an undergrad in business and I know I probably could definitely be making more,” Manson said. “But when you change that one kid's life, that keeps you waking up every day and I enjoy what I do.”

While she loves teaching, Manson says it has made it difficult to reach her lifelong dream of becoming a homeowner.  Especially with the rising costs of living.

“That is definitely hard to do, especially so this year,” Manson said. “I plan on moving and trying to find somewhere that's less expensive that won't take up the bulk of my check, and hopefully use that money to budget."

But now, the school district is doing more to help. In June, the district held their first ever housing resource fair, to connect educators to community resources and help them find programs that fit their personal financial needs.

“They had some awesome sessions that let us know about rental assistance grants,” Manson said. “They help with down payments. Banks were there. That really gave me some encouragement”

Manson was one of the first participants.

It’s just one of the ways district leaders are hoping to help retain teachers in the district, along with helping to connect them with affordable rental options. The district is looking at building a possible "teacher village" in the future.

“What's the largest expense for most people in our community, their lodging, where they live,” said CMS Lead Executive in Residence Rocky McGregor. “So we are attacking at the top, you know, the largest areas of expense.”

It's a problem Manson has seen first hand. 

“Unfortunately, a lot of teachers are leaving the field because they just can't afford it,” Manson said. “I mean, I have two children as well that I have to help support.”

She’s hoping with these programs, and the new connections she’s made, that she can do what she loves and reach her dreams of homeownership.

“We have to start somewhere,” Manson said. “So at least this is taking the step in the right direction to help.”

CMS said they are hoping to have more of these housing fairs throughout the school year.