The Campbell Union High School District is considering partnering with a program to help teachers and other school employees purchase homes.

At a Nov. 2 meeting, the district’s board of trustees was presented with a potential partnership between Landed, the high school district and Campbell Union High School District Education Foundation.

Landed provides assistance with down payments for purchasing homes. For example, if a district employee has only half the amount required for the down payment, Landed will provide the other half.

Landed makes its return on investment when the homeowner sells it or is bought out of the investment. The homeowner shares 25 percent of the appreciation or depreciation value of the home when it’s sold or refinanced, ending the partnership between Landed and the homeowner.

If the homeowner chooses not to sell within term limits or wants to stay in the house longer than the agreed upon term, they have to pay back Landed for the initial cost of the down payment assistance.

Landed representative Nikki Lowy told the board that people can receive financial planning and down payment assistance for a condominium, townhome or single-family home.

Meredyth Hudson, the district’s chief human resource officer, acknowledged that the partnership would not be an end-all solution to finding affordable housing for district employees, but could be an extra tool to help employees.

“This may not be for everyone,” she told the board. “This isn’t the silver bullet solution to the housing crisis.”

According to Hudson, the district bears no cost for connecting employees with Landed.

“It really is a connection opportunity,” Hudson told the Campbell Reporter.

Andrea Ciplickas, the Campbell Union High School District Education Foundation’s CEO, said there are financial advisers who can speak with district employees and help them plan if they feel they are ready to purchase a home.

The foundation was established earlier this year to provide resources to the district’s students and community. Its role would be to get the word out to district employees about Landed and see how it can provide resources to retain and attract employees.

Hudson told this newspaper that the district is conducting a survey to see if Landed’s services would appeal to employees, and what type of housing they’re seeking.

According to Smita Garg, the foundation’s board chairperson, Landed will have an informational meeting for district employees on Dec. 13 at the district office.