City of College Park Needs-Based Student Housing Subsidy Pilot Program

The City of College Park is currently accepting applications for its Needs-Based Student Housing Subsidy Pilot Program. This new pilot program provides a one-time grant of $1,250 for housing assistance to 60 eligible undergraduate and 60 eligible graduate students. The program aims to address housing insecurity among students, aligning with the City's broader mission to support its residents' well-being and foster a thriving community, which implicitly includes the student population within its boundaries. The grant size ranges from $1,000 to $10,000, with individual one-time grants set at $1,250. The primary beneficiaries of this program are undergraduate and graduate students facing housing needs. Specifically, undergraduate students must be eligible for Pell grants, and graduate students must have an income below 60 percent of the HUD 2024 Adjusted Home Income Limits for the D.C. metropolitan area. These criteria target students with demonstrated financial need, ensuring the subsidy reaches those most vulnerable to housing instability. The program's impact goals are to alleviate housing burdens, enhance student retention and success, and contribute to the overall stability of the student population living within the City of College Park. The program prioritizes students who reside within the City of College Park and are enrolled full-time at an accredited post-secondary institution in the D.C. metropolitan area, such as the University of Maryland, Bowie State University, Howard University, or Prince George’s Community College. This focus ensures that the grant directly benefits students who are part of the College Park community and are contributing to the local educational landscape. The grant aims to provide critical financial support, allowing students to focus on their studies without the added stress of housing insecurity. Expected outcomes of the program include a measurable reduction in housing-related financial stress for participating students, improved academic performance due to increased stability, and enhanced student retention within local institutions. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed, the program's design, providing a fixed grant to a defined number of students based on clear eligibility, allows for tracking the number of students assisted and potentially gathering qualitative feedback on the program's impact on their housing stability and academic progress. The City's strategic priority is likely centered on community support and educational access, with this program acting as a direct intervention to achieve these goals by addressing a fundamental need.