A new housing program will provide affordable homes for selected Widefield School District 3 staff members while allowing Colorado Springs-area construction students to put their skills to good use, the district announced last week.

The initiative, called Housing for Educators, is a collaborative effort between District 3, Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity, and Careers in Construction Colorado, officials said. The long-range plan is to build more than 40 affordable housing units in a Security-Widefield community called Rising Moon, with at least 14 of those homes reserved for District 2 staff members and their families.

“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.”

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The idea of a partnership with Habitat for Humanity is something that Widefield district leaders have been considering for years, Hoffman said. Each year, students working in the district’s Manufacturing Industry Learning Lab (The MiLL) build a house as part of their construction curriculum.

“We had houses that didn’t have anywhere to go,” Hoffman said. “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.”

Pikes Peak Habitat will lead the construction of the new homes in the Rising Moon community, located east of Marksheffel Road and south of Drennan Road. The nonprofit will work closely with potential homeowners “to build a house that makes sense for the size of the family,” Hoffman said. Habitat ensures that house payments are no more than 30% of a household’s income.

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

Careers in Construction Colorado students from Widefield District 3 and across the region will help with the building process, officials said.

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

Pikes Peak Habitat will begin accepting housing applications for a two-month period beginning in September, according to Hoffman. A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for Oct. 6. “It’s not the same as a commercial build,” Hoffman said. “The houses will go up two or three at a time, so the process is slower than a commercial build.”

Infrastructure work in and around the Rising Moon community is set to begin in early 2026, with construction of the first homes beginning in the summer, officials said. The first housing units should be built by early 2027.

Eligibility criteria for Widefield District 3 staff will be announced 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.”

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