Wallace State Community College receives $2.5 million for student family housing project

HANCEVILLE, Ala. (WBRC) - Wallace State Community College has received $2.5 million from Congressman Robert Aderholt to fund the Lions Village, a planned collection of microhomes designed for student families.

The project will be located across from campus and includes upwards of 20 microhomes with a childcare center in the middle. College leaders said the development will offer wrap-around services already available on campus, including mental health services and a food pantry.

“So the idea came from quite a need for affordable housing, but especially for families,” said Suzanne Harbin, vice president of advancement and innovation.

The Lions Village aims to address challenges faced by student parents, particularly those dealing with generational poverty. Harbin said the college has long wanted childcare available on campus for students.

“It’s not only childcare, housing, but it’s also that community building of parents who are in school and can lean on each other,” Harbin said.

The project is in planning stages. Harbin said it will take time to secure appropriate funding and complete site preparations. The goal is to have students move in for fall 2027.

“Congressman Aderholt’s team has been especially supportive of this project and has championed it when they went through the appropriations process,” Harbin said.

Harbin said she hopes to break ground in the next 18 months, starting with 10 microhomes and building up to 20. The project targets students who face barriers to education while caring for families.

“Because I’ve been at the college for a long time, I’ve seen a trend of generational poverty that is hard to break. Especially if you’re a single parent, so I think the Lions Village provides that access to child care, provides affordable housing, but especially provides a gateway for students so you’re not changing one life, you’re changing 2,” Harbin said.

Get news alerts in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store or subscribe to our email newsletter here.