Construction of Eastern Scholar House on EKU’s Campus to Provide Educational Opportunities, Housing, and Child Care
Fahe supports increased educational attainment in Appalachia. In our region, as with many other parts of the country, single parents have greater difficulty finding the time and money to attend college, work, and afford quality child care.
Scholar House projects have proven to be effective in helping to alleviate a good portion of the burden faced by single parents. Recently, Fahe has partnered with Member Kentucky River Foothills Development Council, Inc. (KRFDC), Eastern Kentucky University, and several important partners to develop the Eastern Scholar House which began construction in August, 2016.
Prioritizing services for single parents who have made a commitment to furthering education, the Eastern Scholar House provides more than just housing. Residents will have access to an on-site, certified child development facility for up to 80 children, case management services, workshops, and access to various programs including parenting skills, management of family resources, nutrition, work skills, problem solving, and job search techniques. Most of these services are free. Housing and childcare are income based.
Located on Eastern Kentucky University’s Richmond campus, the Eastern Scholar House increases the number of Scholar Houses in Kentucky with other facilities located in Lexington, Pikeville, Bowling Green, Louisville, Paducah, and Owensboro.
The Eastern Scholar House will increase self-sufficiency and combat generational poverty by removing some of the barriers to affordable housing and child care costs which are an impediment to increased education, job attainment, and independence. To participate in the Scholar House educational program, participants must be at least 18 years of age, be eligible for a Housing Choice Voucher, and be full time students.
Fahe is very excited to be taken part in the Eastern Scholar House. Fahe Consulting has provided assistance in obtaining various sources of funding from Low Income Housing Tax Credits, Community Development Block Grant, and Federal Home Loan Bank. Our Community Loan Fund is also being utilized to provide a $6 million construction loan.
As mentioned previously, the Eastern Scholar House wouldn’t be possible without important partners who are dedicated to serving their communities.
Kentucky River Foothills Development Council, Inc. is the driving force behind the Eastern Scholar House and is managing and operating the project. KRFDC is a Community Action Agency and a Member of Fahe, located in Richmond, KY that is committed to the promise of helping people and changing lives. KRFDC has a long history of community improvement and promoting self-sufficiency among the area’s low income population.
Kentucky Housing Corporation is the primary funder and has allocated Low Income Housing Tax Credits and Affordable Housing Trust Fund representing $8.4 million in the project.
Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) is providing a long-term land lease for the property as well as access to services and amenities.
The City of Richmond provided pass-thru grant funds to KRFDC and also will provide rental assistance for the units.
Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing made a $7.5 million investment through the purchase of the tax credits.
The Eastern Scholar House is an amazing service that will build strong families by providing the support they need while they seek improvement through services and education. It will play a key role as a pathway out of poverty for the participants who utilize the service.