Louise C. Stokes Scholar House

The Scholar House model is a two-generation approach designed to interrupt the cycle of poverty for parents and their children, ultimately to change the trajectory of their lives.

CHN and partners — United Way of Greater Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®), Cleveland State University (CSU), Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) and Step Forward (formerly CEOGC)—have brought Scholar House to Cleveland. The model provides affordable housing and wrap-around services for adult college students and their children to support educational success.

The Louise C. Stokes Scholar House is located at 2551 Community College Avenue near CSU and Tri-C®, and offers:

• Stable Housing — CHN developed the building on 1.7 acres of land. Amenities include daycare, study spaces, a computer lab, common space for family education and activities and child play space.
• Rental Support —CMHA provides 40 project-based vouchers and has leased the land for the building.
• Quality Childcare — Step Forward provides daycare at William Patrick Day Early Learning Center, a five-star rated program located next door to Scholar House.
• Academic Support — CSU and Tri-C® provide life skills, academic counseling, and cohort support for first-generation college students.
• Resident Services — CHN and others provide financial and other counseling, access to benefits and other services.

The project is funded mainly through the use of Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) from the Ohio Housing Finance Agency. Other funding sources include the City of Cleveland HOME funds, OHFA HDAP and OHTF funds and project-based rental subsidy.

Service Providers & Partners:

• CHN Housing Partners
• United Way of Greater Cleveland
• Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority
• Step Forward
• Cleveland State University
• Cuyahoga Community College

• Year Completed: 2023
• Project Location: Cleveland, Ohio
• Development Cost: $17.4 million
• Number of Units: 33 two-bedrooms 7 three-bedroom
• Developer, Owner, Property Manager: CHN Housing Partners