Housing Allowance, Subsidies & Accommodation Models at International Schools

For many teaching families, whether a school provides a housing allowance, direct accommodation or includes housing into your salary can be the make-or-break factor in saying yes to a job offer.

While salaries and tuition waivers often get the headlines, the reality is that where you live affects your daily happiness, financial stability, and your family’s ability to settle in a new country.

Here’s a look at the most common housing benefits schools typically offer. And what they mean for teachers and families.

1. School-Provided Housing

Some schools own or lease apartments, townhouses, or villas specifically for their staff. Teachers are allocated housing (sometimes based on their family size) and conditions of your teaching contract.

✅ Pros:

• No need to house-hunt in an unfamiliar market
• Usually furnished with the essentials you need to move in
• Maintenance often handled by the school
• Often located near the school, reducing your commute

⚠️ Cons:

• Limited choice – what you’re given is what you get
• Standard apartments may be small for families
• Less flexibility if you prefer a different location

Example: At NLCS Jeju in South Korea, teachers are housed in apartments directly across from the school – great for convenience but may feel a little claustrophic for some.

2. Housing Allowance / Stipend

Instead of providing housing, some schools will give teachers a monthly allowance. You’re responsible for finding your own accommodation (though many schools will put you in touch with an English speaking real estate agent to help with the process).

✅ Pros:

• More flexibility – you can choose the size, location, and style
• Can suit teachers with families who need more space
• You can choose to “top up” and pay more for a nicer (or larger) home

⚠️ Cons:

• The housing stipend doesn’t always cover local rental prices
• Teachers must handle leases, utilities, and landlords
• Upfront costs (deposits, agent fees) can be significant

Example: In Dubai, some teachers report that a stipend is adequate to cover a one-bedroom apartment, but families will need to add more (sometimes $500–$1,000/month) for extra bedrooms in safe neighbourhoods.

3. Hybrid Models

A smaller number of schools offer a hybrid option. You’ll be given basic housing when you first arrive (often for the first year), followed by a stipend if teachers wish to find their own place.

✅ Pros:

• Takes the stress out of your first move abroad
• Allows flexibility once you’re settled
• Can ease transition for families with different space needs

⚠️ Cons:

• May require moving after the first year
• Allowances may still fall short of family housing costs

4. When There’s No Housing Allowance

In parts of Europe and Latin America especially, schools may not provide a discrete housing benefit – instead housing costs are typically implicitly assumed within your base salary.

You’re responsible for finding and paying for your accommodation outright. Often (though not always) in these situations you’ll find that your salary is higher than a school that offers a housing allowance – as your housing benefits are ‘built in’ to your salary.

✅ Pros:

• Full freedom in choosing housing
• Sometimes higher base salaries to offset lack of benefits

⚠️ Cons:

• Cost of living can be very high
• Competition for rentals may be intense

Example: In Switzerland, some international schools offer strong salaries but no housing support, so many families spend a large portion of their income on rent.

Housing Models at a Glance

Here is a side-by-side comparison of the different models to expect when it comes to housing benefits.

Model	How It Works	Best For
School-Provided	School owns or leases.	Convenience and minimal hassle.
Housing Allowance	A fixed monthly payment.	Control – managing your own housing.
Hybrid / Transitional	Start in school housing, then switch to stipend.	Avoiding housing mistakes & giving you time to settle in.
Housing Built Into Salary	No discrete housing benefit.	Families where affordability isn’t a problem.

What Each Models Meals for Families

• Control vs Convenience: School-provided housing leans toward convenience and less decision stress. A stipend gives you more control — but also more responsibility.
• Financial Certainty vs Flexibility: With school-provided housing, what you get is mostly fixed. With a stipend, you have the flexibility to choose — but you also bear more risk if costs spike. For example, some regions have seen considerable price hikes in rentals over recent years (like Thailand and South Korea) and housing stipends aren’t matching these rates.ho
• Upfront Costs & Hidden Extras: Even in school housing, you might pay for extra furniture, appliances, or improvements. With stipends or salary models, expect to pay for deposits, agent fees, furnishing, and utilities.
• Scaling for Families: Many packages are designed with singles or couples in mind. Families with multiple children may need to top up significantly or negotiate differently.
• Transition & Resale Risk: Hybrid models move you from protected to unprotected housing, which can feel disruptive. Flat salary models put full market risk on you – if housing costs rise, you’re vulnerable.

Key Housing Allowance Takeaways

• Ask early: Don’t assume housing is “family-sized.” Clarify details before signing.
• Budget realistically: Even with school housing, expect to pay extra for additional furniture (outside a basic package) and to pay for utilities.
• Talk to current staff: They’ll give you the best picture of what housing support really looks like and whether it meets your needs.

No one housing model is perfect for every teaching family. The “right” option depends on your priorities:

• If ease, immediacy, and minimal friction are top priorities, school-provided housing often wins.
• If flexibility and control are important, a stipend model allows you to pick size, location, and amenities — at the cost of more work and risk.
• Hybrid models smooth part of the transition, offering structure early and options later.
• Embedded housing in salary simplifies your contract but requires that you absorb all housing risk.

Housing benefits vary widely at international schools. From spacious staff villas in the Middle East to modest city apartments in Asia, to no housing support at all in Europe.

Understanding what’s offered, and how it fits your family’s needs can make the difference between a comfortable posting and one that ends up eating into your savings.

Read Next: 5 Questions to Ask About Housing Support Before Signing Your Contract