A program was launched Wednesday in San Diego that is intended to give some local teachers the chance to become homeowners.

Some San Diego and Poway unified teachers could get more than $40,000 toward a down payment on their first home through a new program. Why it matters: While California teachers have the highest salaries in the country,

Amid continually increasing home prices in San Diego, a program was launched Wednesday intended to give some teachers in the San Diego Unified and Poway Unified school districts a chance to become homeowners.

Early retirements often leave school districts with more inexperienced and under-prepared teachers, which research has shown can have a negative impact on student performance, particularly in high-needs schools.