New modular campus in Louisville to support single-parent students pursuing education

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A new chapter is beginning for single-parent students in Louisville, thanks to Family Scholar House and its groundbreaking ceremony held Wednesday.

The new modular campus, located near the city's bustling Medical District, will offer affordable housing and a stable environment for student parents striving to further their education.

The project is set for completion in early 2026.

City officials and Family Scholar House celebrated the start of construction on the 60-unit modular apartment building, which will provide safe homes for single parents seeking to earn their degrees.

At the ceremony, Nikki Duvall, a person in recovery and a registered nurse, shared her story of transformation.

"Without the Family Scholar House, I don't know if I would have made it past two college degrees," Duvall said.

Duvall's journey began when she was newly in recovery, a single mother, and struggling to balance education with the challenges of life. Thanks to affordable housing and community support, she could pursue her nursing degree, an opportunity she hopes the new campus will offer to more families like hers.

“I can stand here and say that this will be a dream come true for single-parent families,” Duvall said.

The 60 new units will feature two- to three-bedroom apartments, designed specifically to support families pursuing education and career advancement, especially in fields like nursing, pharmacy tech, and medical degrees.

“These units will be ideal for students in the medical field, offering them both housing and the opportunity to study without worrying about the stresses of finding affordable accommodations," Deja Jackson, Director of Community Engagement at Family Scholar House, said.

“This is about the future, about hope, and about opportunity," Mayor Craig Greenberg said. "Families like Nikki’s are going to have more opportunity and a better quality of life because of this project.”

The modular construction of the campus will make the process faster, with units being built in a factory before being assembled on-site. This innovation in housing construction allows for a quicker turnaround and a larger impact.

This project is not only about providing homes for student parents but also about reshaping the future of affordable housing.

As Robin Bartram-Brown from MMY US, the company responsible for the modular construction, noted, “Family Scholar House is setting a bold new precedent for families and nonprofits across the USA by embracing modular construction. Together, we're helping reduce the national housing deficit and offering families the chance to build a brighter future.”

The new campus will be more than just a place to live. It will be a place where students can thrive in their studies and build the skills necessary to achieve economic independence.

"The Family Scholar House's holistic approach supports our families as they move toward educational success, workforce readiness, and a healthier, more stable life," said Cathe Dykstra, President & CEO of Family Scholar House.

With the construction of this campus, Family Scholar House hopes to further its mission of ending the cycle of poverty and transforming the community through education.

Since its founding, the organization has helped more than 800 students earn college degrees and credentials, changing the lives of families in Louisville.

The new modular campus at 716 Marshall Street is just one part of Family Scholar House’s larger vision for educational empowerment.

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