Hays Homes: Below-Market Rental Homes for Hays CISD Employees

Just as schools, roads, and utilities are essential infrastructure for a growing community, housing for the educators and staff who serve that community is essential in recruiting and retaining the best employees to work in Hays CISD. Hays CISD employees will have access to a new master-planned rental home community in Uhland, immediately north of Uhland Elementary School. The community is planned to include 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-bedroom homes, with private yards, green space, amenities, and projected rents below comparable market-rate housing.

Join the waitlist to receive updates on eligibility, floor plans, pricing, pre-leasing, and expected move-in timing.

Read the district's June 8, 2026 news release about the project.

You Are In Demand & Deserve the Best:

Teachers and school district employees are in demand. Hays CISD wants you to consider us for your career home, as well as your family's home base. The district boasts many student achievements and educational successes annually, and that is a direct result of the outstanding 3,500 educators and staff who make the magic happen. As a reward, the district is proud to offer the incentivized rental housing benefit, the savings from which effectively adds more dollars to your pocket.

The Neighborhood is Custom Designed with You in Mind:

The district has entered into a master lease agreement with 501(c)(3) nonprofit Public-Private Development Corporation (PPDC), in partnership with Upward Communities, allowing the district to offer this rental housing opportunity.

The master planned community, which sits on more than 100 acres, was designed by DPZ CoDesign with the intent to provide top-tier quality for Hays CISD employees with a walkable community, tons of green space, indoor and outdoor amenities, and local retail nestled within the community.

Clark Wilson was selected to be the builder for the homes, ranging from 1 - 4 bedrooms, each with its own yard. Vida Design is the interior designer for the project. You can view the concept renderings and floor plans to see the range of options that will be available.

Location & Amenities:

Set among the gently rolling hills of Uhland, Texas, this 362-home community will offer a mix of mostly single-family homes, along with select cottages, in a thoughtfully planned neighborhood designed for Hays CISD staff and families.

The community is located immediately north of Uhland Elementary School and offers convenient access to schools throughout Hays CISD, as well as the broader Austin-area lifestyle that attracts professionals and families to Central Texas. The City of Uhland recently approved the planning and zoning for the development, clearing the way for Upward Communities to move forward with a new neighborhood built around comfort, convenience, and community.

The community will include a wide range of indoor and outdoor amenities, including:

Pool and sundeck
Sports lounge
Private event space
Children’s playground
Outdoor sports fields
Dog park
Nature paths
Pickleball courts

Beyond the homes and amenities, the neighborhood will include walkable retail space and a new village lawn, creating a central gathering place where residents can meet neighbors, spend time with family, enjoy community events, and experience the feel of a small-town village within a modern residential community.

How Pricing Works:

Hays CISD asked Upward to create different pricing levels based on the district compensation plan so that the program can serve employees across a range of income levels. The goal is to provide high-quality rental homes at rents below comparable market-rate housing, while helping employees live closer to work and remain part of the Hays CISD community.