Leaders at Orange County Public Schools are trying to solve the issue of staff shortages by giving some of the district's employees priority access to affordable housing.

District leaders say the rising cost of living in Central Florida has outpaced wages, directly contributing to the shortage of critical employees.

After three weeks of paid leave, staff will also be able to use up to nine weeks of unpaid leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, or any other paid sick leave that they have saved up. “It really is a result of a lot of people coming together and then us working with the district to push this”

The Priority Housing Access Agreement approved Tuesday was supported by OESPA, Orange Education Support Professionals, which represents bus drivers, custodians, and paraprofessionals in the district. OESPA President Ron Pollard told Channel 9 he strongly supported the agreement and a push to find affordable housing solutions for staff.