By Connie Leinbach
The Hyde County Education Foundation is moving forward with plans to renovate the former Ocracoke Child Care building, 45 Old Beach Rd., for proposed teacher and workforce housing, but challenges remain, according to Julio Morales, spokesman for Hyde County Schools.
When the original architectural drawings and engineering plans were completed, the estimated construction cost was over $2 million.
“Since then, construction costs have increased significantly, making that original design more expensive than initially anticipated,” Morales said. “Rent costs would have made housing affordability for a new teacher or staff member restrictive based on the terms and conditions of the loans.”
The foundation has received $25,000 grants from the Outer Banks Community Foundation and the Ocracoke Occupancy Tax Board for modifications to the original designs that would be more financially sustainable, but the goal is not necessarily to build less, he said.
Hyde County Schools has identified approximately $1.5 million that has been set aside to support the project if the property transfer is completed.
“As we finalize the scope and update the architectural and engineering plans, that estimate will be refined, but our goal is to deliver a high-quality employee housing project that is both fiscally responsible and responsive to the district’s workforce needs,” Morales said.
The project will move forward within the next year, he said.
While the building has not been in regular use for approximately four years, foundation members and school employees have worked to monitor and protect the property as much as possible, but it will require repairs.
Morales said the district can’t quantify how many prospective employees may have chosen not to apply for or accepted positions elsewhere because of housing unavailability.
“What we do know is that affordable housing has been one of the most significant workforce challenges on Ocracoke since Hurricane Dorian,” Morales said. “We have been incredibly fortunate that the Ocracoke community has consistently stepped forward to support our employees with housing when needs have arisen.
“Property owners, residents, churches and community partners have demonstrated tremendous generosity in helping educators find places to live, and that community support has been invaluable.”
He said the district knows that relying on temporary or informal housing arrangements is not a sustainable long-term solution.
“This project is intended to provide greater stability for our workforce and strengthen our ability to recruit and retain the educators our students deserve,” he said.
