4/27/2026 City of Newark & Newark Unified School District Liaison Committee

The City of Newark and Newark Unified School District Liaison Committee met on April 27, 2026, to discuss housing initiatives, particularly focusing on affordable and teacher housing on surplus public land. The meeting featured a detailed presentation by the city's housing policy and programs manager, Michael Coolam, who outlined the city's 2023-2031 housing element goals, including permitting 1,874 new homes by 2031 and strategies for utilizing school district land for affordable housing development. Several examples of successful housing projects in other California cities were shared, highlighting potential models for Newark. The committee discussed legislative requirements such as the Surplus Land Act, which mandates a minimum percentage of affordable units on public land developments. The city has allocated approximately $29 million for affordable housing, with potential for additional funding pending a state bond measure. The school district emphasized the importance of housing to attract and retain teachers and staff, and noted ongoing efforts to analyze district property for redevelopment opportunities. The meeting also addressed collaboration challenges between the city and school district, with commitments expressed to improve coordination. No specific contract awards or vendor selections were made during this meeting, but the discussion centered on policy and planning efforts that could influence future procurement and development projects related to affordable housing and public land use.