Lockhart Independent School District trustees have signed off on a public-private housing partnership that aims to move district staff into a 117-home community called Wildflower at Juniper Springs. Most of the units are planned as three- and four-bedroom single-family homes with shared amenities and below-market rents or rentals tailored for district employees. Model homes are slated to open for pre-leasing in August 2026.
The board's vote approved a deal with developer Upward Communities and nonprofit Public Private Development Corporation, with homes to be built by BOSC Construction, a Perry Homes company. The district says the community will include 117 homes, about 90% of them single-family, with a majority offering three- to four-bedroom layouts. Leaders describe the project as the product of more than 18 months of planning, noting that roughly 70% of teachers currently commute from outside the district and estimating that staff could save about $400 to $800 a month compared with typical Central Texas housing costs. "This partnership is about more than housing. It is about supporting our people, reducing long commutes, and strengthening our connection to the Lockhart community," Superintendent Mark Estrada said. Board President Michael Wright called the initiative "an investment in our people and in the future of Lockhart ISD," according to Lockhart ISD.
Developer and builder
Upward Communities will lead the development of Wildflower while BOSC Construction handles homebuilding. The plan pairs a nonprofit developer with a national homebuilder to deliver turn-key housing for employees. The broader Juniper Springs master plan, which Perry Homes has been marketing as a large planned community with on-site schools and trails, gives the project an existing framework for schools and amenities. Upward Communities has pitched similar staff-focused neighborhoods in Central Texas, as reported by Community Impact.
What's next for staff
The housing opportunity will be open to all Lockhart ISD employees, and model homes are expected to be available for viewing for pre-leasing in August 2026, while below-market rental options will be offered to qualifying staff. District leaders said amenities will include walking trails, green space, a pool, and a fitness center. To join the interest list or request more details, visit Upward Communities.
The agreement arrives as the district prepares buildings and infrastructure approved by voters in the 2025 bond, part of a broader effort to absorb rapid enrollment and make Lockhart a place where staff want to live as well as work. For more background on the district's growth and capital plans, see Lockhart ISD.
