Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 21, 2012
Contact: media@nycha.nyc.gov, (212) 306-3322

The New York City Housing Authority Awards Student Residents Thousands of Dollars in Scholarships

15 residents studying at The City University of New York receive funds for their studies

The New York City Housing Authority hosts its 7th Annual NYCHA-CUNY Resident Scholarship Program Awards ceremony on Thursday, September 20, 2012 at The City University of New York Graduate Center. This is part of NYCHA’s ongoing efforts to support NYCHA residents in their pursuit of higher education.

“NYCHA is proud to partner with CUNY, local elected officials and the non-profit sector to help residents further their studies,” said NYCHA Chairman John B. Rhea. “Empowering our residents with the education and resources they need to succeed in life is an essential part of our mission.”

A total of 15 scholarship winners were chosen from various NYCHA developments including Armstrong, Douglass, Queensbridge, Ingersoll, Mariner’s Harbor, Park Rock Rehab, Grant, Ravenswood, Gowanus and Parkside Houses. They represent all five boroughs of New York City and their families come from around the world, including Bangladesh, China and Puerto Rico. Many are first generation immigrants and the first person in their immediate family to attend college. Others moved into a NYCHA apartment with their families at a devastating point in their lives, when the need for affordable housing either rescued them from or provided an alternative to homelessness. The students range in age from early 20s to mid 40s. Some are single parents while others live at home with their parents.

This year NYCHA is awarding a total of $15,000 in college scholarships to deserving students, which is an increase over the amount of scholarships awarded in previous years. The increase is directly attributed to the additional funding support from the public and non-profit sector. Partners in education include CUNY, NYC Council Members Gale Brewer, Robert Jackson and Letitia James, as well as the non-profit organization, Women in Housing and Finance, Inc.

“NYCHA is proud to partner with CUNY, local elected officials and the non-profit sector to help residents further their studies,” said NYCHA Chairman John B. Rhea. “Empowering our residents with the education and resources they need to succeed in life is an essential part of our mission.”

Since 2005, the NYCHA-CUNY Resident Scholarship Program has annually awarded $1,000 scholarships to eligible NYCHA residents who are enrolled at CUNY colleges. In 2011, the program was expanded to include the Regina A. Figueroa Memorial Scholarship, which honors the academic achievements of NYCHA residents with disabilities and who excel in their studies at CUNY colleges. To be eligible, a student must be an authorized NYCHA resident; a full-time sophomore, junior or senior enrolled in a CUNY Associate or Baccalaureate degree program; have a minimum 3.0 GPA; demonstrate financial need. Each candidate also submits a 500-word essay.

A selection committee comprised of NYCHA and CUNY representatives reviewed over 80 applications this year--the most received to date.

NYCHA provides decent and affordable housing in a safe and secure living environment for low and moderate- income residents in New York City. NYCHA serves approximately 420,000 public housing residents across 334 developments in all 5 boroughs. To fulfill this mission, NYCHA must preserve its aging housing stock through timely maintenance and modernization of its developments. NYCHA also administers a citywide Section 8 Leased Housing Program in rental apartments. Simultaneously, we work to enhance the quality of life at NYCHA by offering our residents opportunities to participate in a multitude of community, educational and recreational programs, as well as job readiness and training initiatives.

To learn more, go to www.nyc.gov/nycha