Bowling Green sophomore Brittney Wilson and her 15-month-old son Jeremiah McCombs moved into the Bowling Green Scholar House from Regency Park Apartments about two months ago.

It came at a good time for Wilson, who works at Wal-Mart.

“With my job, my hours got cut down a lot,” she said.

She said utility costs kept going up.

Wilson pays a lower rent and no utility costs at the Scholar House.

The 56-apartment complex provides affordable housing for single parents or couples in college and their children. It also offers a Little Scholars day care.

Residents pay 30 percent of their total income in rent.

The facility is one of several in the state that help parents pursue an education and provide a better future for their families. But the economy is making it more difficult to fund future projects.

Scholar Houses in Louisville and Owensboro have opened within the last year, said Tammy Stansbury, director of housing, finance and construction for the Kentucky Housing Corporation.

Another will be built in Louisville, she said.

“We’ve got several different colleges coming to us now wanting to provide one in their area,” Stansbury said.

Deborah Williams, executive director for Housing Assistance and Development Services, said the Scholar Houses are funded through special low income housing tax credits set aside by the Kentucky Housing Corporation.

Tax credits allow companies to not pay taxes on their profits by investing it, she said. Non-profit companies can also purchase tax credits.

But only a certain number of tax credits were set aside for the Scholar Houses, Williams said.

“Once those are gone, they’re gone,” she said.

Stansbury said officials will have to find other investors for future projects. There are no more tax credits set aside for the projects after the Scholar House in Louisville is complete.

Officials are having trouble finding investors because of the economy, she said.

Stansbury said Scholar Houses help people better themselves through education.

“It’s giving people a chance to pursue their education, to get off of welfare and to make a change not only in their lives but in their child’s life,” she said.

The opportunity is an especially good one in the current economy, Stansbury said.

“Overall, you’re going to see people come out of poverty just for this reason,” she said.

Louisville senior Alise Royles said going to class and taking care of her two-and-a-half-month-old son Bryce Royles means she can’t work much.

The difference between living at the Scholar House and having a regular apartment is hundreds of dollars a month, she said.

“It would have been a lot harder,” she said.

But instead of worrying about paying more for rent, Royles said she can focus on being a better mom to Bryce.

“I have a lot more time to spend with him,” she said.

Officials have been happy with the success of the Bowling Green Scholar House so far.

The complex opened in January and was full by mid-March, Williams said.

Residents had to go through a 15 to 30 minute interview with an advisory council before moving in.

There are 20 people on the waiting list to move in, she said.

Williams said there are 53 children enrolled in the day care center, which opened in February.

“There’s no question that Scholar House has been a success,” she said.

But Williams said the true success will be measured in the success of the children and the residents as parents and students.

“There’s really no one way you can measure it,” she said. “The truest way is if all elements meet.”

Williams said the Scholar House offers parenting, financial management and other classes to help residents.

Louisville freshman Precious Sheckles said the Scholar House allows her to be independent while still going to college.

“I don’t need my mom,” she said. “I’m able to take care of my responsibilities on my own.”

Sheckles said if she had to work and take care of her 5-month-old daughter Noel Dillingham she probably wouldn’t be able to go to school.

The Scholar House program is modeled after Virginia Place in Lexington, Stansbury said.

Virginia Place opened in 1986, said Janet Clark, Virginia Place office manager.

She said it was the only program of its kind when she started it 10 years ago. But she’s excited about its growth.

“I think there’s a definite need out there, and I’m just glad these programs are available,” Clark said.