The $2.98 million purchase will be paid for through the voter-approved 2024 Investing in Our Schools Bond, which sets aside $20 million for employee housing. It will not use the district’s general fund, which pays for salaries and day-to-day operations.
The six townhomes include four 3-bedroom, 2-bath units at 1,216 square feet each, and two 2-bedroom, 1.5-bath units at 1,024 square feet each. This gives employees with families a larger option than the district’s existing apartments. All six are expected to be ready for residents in summer 2027.
Housing was included in the bond in response to a need identified by DSD employees: The high cost and limited availability of housing in Durango can make it difficult for school employees to live in the community they serve.
“Voters listened to what our employees needed and made an investment in the people who serve our students,” said Superintendent Dr. Karen Cheser. “We are incredibly grateful to our community for recognizing that investing in our schools also means helping DSD attract and keep the talented people our students depend on every day.”
This is DSD’s second employee-housing purchase. The district bought 35 apartments at Lightner Creek Village in 2025, and employees began moving in June 2026. The apartments are now at 94% occupancy. An upcoming staff survey will help DSD decide whether to purchase three more Homestead townhomes by the end of this year.
A committee of district employees will recommend rental rates to the Board in December as part of the annual rate review for the workforce housing program. DSD will own and operate the townhomes and keep them available as affordable employee housing for at least 30 years. The six homes also help The Homestead meet the City of Durango's Fair Share affordable-housing requirements.
Employees living at Lightner Creek Village say the housing has already made a difference.
“Being five minutes from work instead of an hour away has changed my day-to-day life a lot,” said Autumn Green, DSD substitute coordinator.
For Riverview Elementary School kindergarten teacher Julianne Fiedler, it has meant being able to live without a roommate after six years of renting in Durango. “Thank you, voters,” she said. “This means so much to me.”