A new initiative in Widefield School District 3 aims to tackle the twin challenges of teacher retention and housing affordability while providing hands-on learning for future construction professionals. The district last week unveiled its Housing for Educators program, a partnership with Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity and Careers in Construction Colorado (CICC).

The long-term vision calls for more than 40 affordable homes to be built in the upcoming Rising Moon neighborhood, located east of Marksheffel Road and south of Drennan Road in the Security-Widefield area. At least 14 of those homes will be reserved for District 3 staff members and their families, providing teachers and school workers with a stable place to live within the community they serve.

“It’s so important for us to be able to provide affordable housing,” said Aaron Hoffman, District 3 superintendent. “It’s a great incentive for our new teachers and it should help with retaining our staff.”

Years in the Making

Hoffman said district leaders had been considering a partnership with Habitat for Humanity for years. The district’s Manufacturing Industry Learning Lab (The MiLL) already has students build a full house each year as part of its construction curriculum. But there was one problem — no clear destination for the finished homes.

“We had houses that didn’t have anywhere to go,” Hoffman explained. “We at the school district cannot act as a realtor firm. We can’t act in that capacity, so we wanted to work with someone else so that the houses could be utilized.”

Habitat’s Role

Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity will lead the construction in Rising Moon, working directly with each selected family to ensure the home matches their needs. The nonprofit keeps mortgage payments to no more than 30% of household income, helping ensure long-term affordability.

“Economic growth starts with a home,” said Kris Lewis, CEO of Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity. “A safe, affordable home allows a family to be independent, find and keep stable work, grow wealth, and plan for the future.”

Training the Next Generation

Students from Careers in Construction Colorado programs across the region — including those in Widefield — will contribute labor to the housing build. For them, the project offers a chance to apply their skills in a meaningful, community-focused way.

“Projects like this don’t just teach construction,” said Renee Zentz, president of CICC. “They teach compassion, responsibility, and the real-world impact of skilled trades.”

Project Timeline and Application Process

According to Hoffman, applications for the first phase of housing will open in September and remain open for two months. The official groundbreaking is scheduled for October 6.

Infrastructure work is expected to begin in early 2026, with home construction starting in the summer of that year. The first units are scheduled for completion by early 2027. Homes will be built gradually — two or three at a time — to align with student workforce capacity and Habitat’s volunteer schedules.

Eligibility requirements for District 3 staff will be finalized in the coming months.

“This program will provide a tangible benefit, allowing our teachers and staff to live and thrive within the community they serve,” Hoffman said. “It also allows a unique educational opportunity for students in the Careers in Construction program. We’re thrilled about this partnership.”

The initiative follows a similar effort in nearby District 2, where leaders are planning a $6 million duplex complex for employees in an effort to keep educators local.

Originally reported by O' Dell Isaac in Colorado Politics.