A new facility in Newport that will provide comprehensive support to allow low-income single parents to complete their college education will reach full occupancy by November.
The Northern Kentucky Scholar House, at 400 West Sixth Street, is celebrating its grand opening at 10:30 a.m. October 28th with local leaders and a long list of funders that have supported the construction and programming.
The first of its kind in Northern Kentucky, the Scholar House concept is designed as a holistic approach to providing residents with affordable housing, childcare, and other case management services enabling them to reach self-sufficiency.
Led locally by Neighborhood Foundations in partnership with Brighton Center and Model Group, the Northern Kentucky Scholar House is modeled after other scholar houses in Kentucky that are effectively helping low income, single head of household families reach self-sufficiency by combining housing assistance and education opportunities for both parent and child.
Neighborhood Foundations Executive Director Tom Guidugli explained, “I’m so excited to be part of making this project a reality, after many years of planning and work. This is truly a life changing program for families in our community”
Research suggests that post-secondary education is increasingly important to obtain a job that offers family-supporting wages, but students who are also parents face significant challenges to college completion.
Brighton Center President & CEO, Tammy Weidinger explains, “The two-generation approach of Scholar House invests in educational opportunities for both parents and children together, each reinforcing the other. The Northern Kentucky Scholar House will provide a much-needed resource to single parents who are working hard to further their education, while ensuring their children are in a high quality, nurturing environment.”
Program Requirements:
At least 18 years of age,
Have a High School Diploma or GED,
Be a single parent with primary custody or child/children,
Full time student in an approved post-secondary institution (such as NKU, Gateway Community & Technical College, Cincinnati State),
Maintain a 2.0 GPA,
Attend life skills workshops and monthly meeting with a case manager,
Children under the age of 5 must be enrolled in the Early Scholars Child Development Center, Must be eligible for Section 8 subsidized housing,
Must be highly motivated.
Program Offerings:
While single parents are enrolled in Northern Kentucky Scholar House and attending school, supports are offered in:
1. Housing, where Section 8 subsidy will keep housing costs low for 48 apartments
2. Educational and economic support program, where parents are connected with other existing economic supports, such as child care assistance, food stamps, work study programs, financial aid, and provided life skills consisting of on-site workshops and activities that support parents in their roles as students, parents, heads of household, and future employees
3. On-site Child Care, where children from 6 weeks to school age receive care in an enriching environment while the parent is in school
Northern Kentucky Scholar House details:
48 Units – consisting of 42 two-bedroom and 6 three-bedroom apts.
3 fully handicap accessible and 1 visual/hearing impaired
2 Bedroom apartments 813 sq. ft.
3 Bedroom apartments 1011 sq. ft.
9,228 sq. ft. in the existing Marguerite Robinson Community Center.
8,188 sq. ft. daycare addition to existing Marguerite Robinson Community Center with playgrounds
17,416 combined sq. ft. for existing Marguerite Robinson Community Center and Daycare
$ 1.7 million Daycare construction costs
$ 5.6 million Residential construction costs
$ 7.3 million total construction costs
$ 9.1 million dollars to develop
Sources of Funds
Newport Millennium Housing Corporation III (NMHC III) secured $739,166 in low income housing tax credits from Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) which resulted in over $6,900,000 in equity from our investors, National Equity Fund.
Newport Millennium Housing Corporation III (NMHC III) secured $659,952 from Federal Home Loan Bank through their Affordable Housing Program
Campbell County Fiscal Court provided a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant for the Daycare
Brighton Properties, Inc. secured $425,000 in private grant funds for the development and
Brighton Center, Inc. secured $201,500 in private grants for start-up costs
Kentucky Housing Corporation provided $300,000 in Affordable Housing Trust Fund
Newport Millennium Housing Corporation III provided $110,000 in private grant funds
BB&T provided $5,200,000 in construction loan dollars
City of Newport supplied land in order for Scholar House to be built.