Eastern Scholar House Program
Eastern Scholar House increases student self-sufficiency and combats poverty by removing some of the barriers to affordable housing and child care costs.
Eastern Scholar House increases student self-sufficiency and combats poverty by removing some of the barriers to affordable housing and child care costs.
EASTERN SCHOLAR HOUSE IS OPEN TO QUALIFYING STUDENTS WITH A LONG-TERM GOAL OF SELF SUFFICIENCY WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM LIVING IN AN EDUCATIONALLY DRIVEN AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT.
This program is open to eligible full-time students in an approved post- secondary institution such as Eastern Kentucky University, University of Kentucky, Bluegrass Community & Technical College, Berea College, Morehead State University, etc. Eastern Scholar House is not a student housing program. Rather, it is a combination of education supports with access to housing and child development services all of which are interdependent.
The Eastern Scholar House program provides connections to educational supports such as academic tutoring, financial literacy, employment assistance and access to community based services. Residents receive case management, workshops, and access to various programs including parenting skills, management of family resources, nutrition, work skills, problem solving, and job search techniques. Most services are provided at no cost to the participants.
Priority for program admission is given to:
Priority for housing is given to single parents with children who participate in the Eastern Scholar House Program. Once participants are chosen for the Eastern Scholar House Program, they are referred to the housing counselor who will then determine if they qualify for rental assistance. For those selected, housing will be dependent on continued participation in the Eastern Scholar House Program including remaining a full-time student, maintaining a 2.0 GPA, paying a small share of the rent, participating in required supportive services (life skills, study hours, case management, preschooler enrolled full-time in on-site child care center, etc.).
Here is how the application process for the Eastern Scholar House Program will work:
1. All applicants will complete a written ESHP Interest Questionnaire (link below) that is used to gather basic information about applicants and to confirm where they will fit on the prioritization list for the program. Single parents pursuing 4 year college degrees who have preschool age children who will be enrolled full-time in the Scholar House Child Care Center will receive first priority to admission to the Scholar House Program.
2. Applicants meeting the first priority for admission into the Scholar House Program will be offered interviews with the Scholar House staff to determine their willingness to participate, and succeed, in the program. The following items (link below) will be required at the time of the scheduled interview. In summary this is what will be evaluated through the application and interviews:
ESHP INTEREST QUESTIONNAIRE (fillable)
ESHP CHECKLIST FOR APPLICATION APPOINTMENT
As a multi-generational approach, Eastern Scholar House Program preschool age children must be enrolled in the on-site, high quality affordable child development center. This will allow time for the parents to attend classes and focus on their education. The child development facility includes five classrooms for children, offices for program staff, meeting space, and a computer lab. Childcare is income based.
There are three apartment buildings located at 801 Van Hoose Drive in Richmond. There are 39 housing units, consisting of two bedroom apartments, of which two are fully-handicap accessible living quarters. Apartment amenities include a washer/dryer, dishwasher, storage space, and a designated parking lot. Housing is income based. Winterwood, Inc. provides the property management and ensures the program’s compliance with funding regulations. Although located on land leased at EKU and prioritizing student parents, this program is not a form of student housing.
The Eastern Scholar House Program is based on the programmatic requirements specified in Kentucky Housing Corporation’s Scholar House Guidebook (however KRFDC may request minor deviations to the model as the program is further developed).
For more information contact:
Jackie Dean, Scholar House Director
801 Van Hoose Drive
Richmond, KY 40475
(859) 408-7025