Wendy’s Village is an innovative, affordable housing community that gives teachers and staff an opportunity to live and thrive in the communities they serve.
Teachers shouldn’t have to choose between a place to live and a place to work.
Educators and support staff dedicate their lives to shaping the future of our children and communities. Yet, too many cannot afford to live in the very communities they serve.
In Colorado Springs, rising housing costs and teacher salaries have created a growing affordability gap. Many educators earn too much to qualify for traditional housing assistance, but not enough to comfortably afford market-rate housing.
The consequences extend far beyond individual teachers. Housing challenges make it harder for schools to attract and retain talented educators, creating instability that affects students, families, and entire communities.
The people who protect, teach, heal, and build our communities deserve a chance to live in them.
Wendy’s Village gives teachers an opportunity to live securely, teach boldly, and inspire the hearts and minds of the next generation.
Wendy’s Village is a new approach to essential employee housing that puts people and communities first.
Created through a partnership between Harrison School District 2 and We Fortify, this thoughtfully designed community provides 40 affordable homes where teachers and staff can find stability, connection, and room to thrive.
By easing the financial pressures of housing, Wendy’s Village gives educators more freedom to build fulfilling lives and focus on the work they love. For schools, greater teacher stability and retention create a ripple effect that benefits students, families, school districts, and the entire community.
When teachers flourish,
students flourish,
school districts flourish,
communities flourish.
Housing costs have risen nearly twice as fast as starting teacher salaries, putting affordable housing further out of reach.
THE PAY GAP
$17,000
The annual difference between a beginning Harrison School District 2 teacher's salary and the income Pikes Peak Housing Network reports is needed to afford a market-rate one-bedroom apartment.
A beginning teacher earns approximately $50,500 annually, while local housing research identifies an income requirement of $67,500. This gap makes financial stability increasingly difficult for the educators our community depends upon. (1)
THE HOUSING GAP
13,320
Rental homes needed to address the housing shortage in Colorado Springs and unincorporated El Paso County.
The shortage is particularly significant for working households seeking attainable rental housing. Increasing the supply of appropriately priced homes is essential to supporting a stable workforce and a healthy regional economy. (2)
THE COST OF TURNOVER
$20k+
The cost of replacing a teacher, including recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and training.
When educators leave within their first three years, school districts may lose the value of their initial training investment while incurring additional costs to recruit, hire, and prepare a replacement. Beyond the financial expense, turnover disrupts educational continuity and school stability. (3)
Sources:
(1) Harrison School District 2, 2026–2027 compensation; Pikes Peak Housing Network, 2025 State of Housing Report
(2) Pikes Peak Housing Network, 2025 State of Housing Report, citing the Regional Housing Needs Assessment
(3) Learning Policy Institute, 2024 Update: What's the Cost of Teacher Turnover? Actual costs vary by district