Contractor Switches to Steel Framing for Teachers’ Housing Project

Oct 5, 2022 | Light Steel Framing Industry Projects

Image Credits: 705serramonte.com

The COVID-19 pandemic created many lingering challenges for contractors and developers. Labor shortages, increasing material costs and supply chain interruptions are just some of the problems creating havoc for construction project timelines.

To alleviate some of these concerns, contractors are switching from wood to steel framing for its improved quality and availability. This was the case at a housing community built for the faculty and staff of the Jefferson Union High School District  south of San Francisco.

JUHSD Housing Priced 50% Below Market

School districts across the United States struggle with teacher shortages, but regions with high housing costs are often hit the hardest. Teachers’ salaries are typically not able to keep up with the cost of living in these high rent districts. 

Faced with a roughly 25% staff turnover rate, leaders at the Bay Area Jefferson Union High School District decided to take action. They became housing developers by building affordable housing on the school’s property, says Affordable Housing Finance. 

Approved by local voters, the school district recently opened 705 Serramonte, a workforce housing community in Daly City, California. The multifamily housing community, owned by the school district, was built exclusively for the teachers and staff employed by the district. It features 122 apartment homes, with 59 one-bedroom, 56 two-bedroom and seven three-bedroom units.

In an area where apartments can reach upwards of $3,000 per month, the rental prices are set at 50% of the local market rate to be affordable for the occupying educators, says School Construction News.

  •  

 

Project Switches from Wood to Steel Framing

The $75 million design-build project was completed on schedule by general contractor J.H. Fitzmaurice. However, the contractor had to overcome supply chain challenges. This included being creative when it came to sourcing materials, says School Construction News.

“In anticipation of the uncertainty of the lumber market, the project team proposed and elected to change the framing system from wood to light-gauge steel framing,” says Mohammad Hakimi, president and CEO of J.H. Fitzmaurice. “[Switching from wood to steel resulted] in better construction quality and not being impacted by framing material availability.”

 

Why Do Builders Prefer Steel Framing?

Cold-formed steel (CFS) leads the way as the preferred framing material for remodeling and new construction for many reasons. CFS is:

  • A pre-engineered material that can be cut to exact lengths
  • Dimensionally stable and does not expand or contract with changes in moisture content
  • Lightweight compared to wood and concrete
  • Will not warp, split, crack or creep when exposed to the elements
  • Sustainable and 100% recyclable
  • Durabile and has a high tensile strength
  • Non-combustible and is a safeguard against fire accidents

 

A ‘Model’ for Future Educator Housing

After a May 2022 ribbon-cutting ceremony, school district employees have been moving into 705 Serramonte over the summer.

While other area school districts still have vacancies, Jefferson Union High School District is fully staffed.

“Many districts around the country are already looking to JUHSD as a model for this type of educator housing in their own communities,” says Hakimi.

As supply chain issues remain a challenge, contractors will continue to turn to steel to frame future projects.

Additional Resources

 

Article cited from BuildSteel.org