The US has a child care crisis. Can free housing for workers help solve it?

There’s a new type of community being built in New Haven, just a 10-minute drive from Yale University. From the ruins of an old rock quarry, a village of multifamily houses is sprouting on 2 acres of land. 

An open, shared courtyard will tie together the families, most of whom have young children. However, what sets this community apart is whom these homes are for. The budding village is only for child care workers. Friends Center for Children is building rent-free workforce housing as a salaried benefit for employees.

After five years working with young children, Paris Pierce was searching for ways to keep doing the work she loves. The 20-something had found