NHC member District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) is promoting education and self-sufficiency to residents of public housing through its ‘Commitment to Excellence’ scholarship program. Thirteen students who live in DCHA properties or are Housing Choice Voucher Program recipients were recently awarded $25,000 worth of scholarships.
Three students earned $5,000 scholarships and 10 others received $1,000 awards. Scholarship recipients must have met minimum requirements of at least a 2.0 GPA or a 225 minimum score on the GED exam. They attend or will attend various schools around the country including Hampton University, Trinity Washington University and the College of St. Joseph. DCHA sees the scholarships as investments in the futures of its recipients and a way of promoting self-sufficiency and higher education.
“DCHA Executive Director Adrianne Todman said it best when she said that the importance of a college degree or trade/technical training cannot be overstated,” Sherrill Hampton, director of DCHA’s Office of Resident Services said in a press release. “[We] believe in the power of education to help residents enhance self-sufficiency and achieve their dreams,” she added.
Research shows that a safe, affordable living environment has lasting positive impacts on a child’s ability to learn. Our research brief, The Impacts of Affordable Housing on Education demonstrates how stable, affordable housing reduces stress and lessons the likelihood of students dropping out.
Scholarship recipients range from freshman to graduate students. DCHA’s nonprofit subsidiary, Community Vision, Inc., assisted with awarding the scholarships.