Additional Information:

• Job Description  
• Internship Learning Objectives [pdf 10kB]
• 2009 Housing and Community Development Scholars Program Student Application [Word Doc 128kB]
• 2009 Housing and Community Development Scholars Program - Learning Objectives - Request for Proposals - Application Form (for Nonprofits) [Word doc 144kB]

Overview:
The Housing and Community Development Scholars Program (formerly the Housing Scholars program) was created 1989 by the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to provide additional and more comprehensive assistance to nonprofit corporations actively involved in the development of affordable housing. Partnering with Wachovia in 1998 allowed us to offer internship opportunities to more students and broaden the scope of services provided by nonprofit organizations to include community and economic development activities. Our university partner, New Jersey Institute of Technology, has provided administrative, payroll, and fiscal services for the program over the past 20 years.

This innovative program offers a paid, full-time placement for ten weeks during the summer to graduate and undergraduate students attending the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), Rutgers University (Camden, New Brunswick and Newark Campuses), Monmouth University, New Jersey City University, and Ramapo College, Rowan University, Stockton University, and The College of New Jersey. Funding from NJ DCA and Wachovia Foundation  pays 70% of Scholars’ wages. However, the participating nonprofit agency must contribute 30% of the wages. Undergraduates receive $13.00 per hour; graduate students are paid $15.00 per hour—for a maximum of 350 hours.

A maximum of 30 students majoring in architecture, civil engineering, urban studies and planning, management, public policy and administration, social work (international and community development program), and geoscience/geographic information systems will be selected to participate in the program. Before beginning their internships, students attend an intensive week-long orientation and training program designed to explore the development process and the emerging role of nonprofits in affordable housing, and community and economic development.

The Wachovia/DCA Housing and Community Development Scholars Program is coordinated at the central level by DCA’s Division of Community Resources and is administered by NJIT’s Division Office of Career Development Services.

Proposal Contents:

The Division of Community Resources is requesting proposals from nonprofit housing and community development corporations in New Jersey that are actively involved in affordable housing and/or community and economic development, and are interested in mentoring a Scholar. Interested nonprofits must provide a proposal consisting of the following:

• A completed application form (enclosed). 
• A brief history of the organization (not to exceed 1/2 page) including mission statement, description of housing or community and economic development activities and current development projects. 
• Statement of Need for a Scholar (not to exceed 1/2 page). 
• Copy of 501 (c) 3 if you have not previously hosted a Housing Scholar. 
• A job description for the Scholar (not to exceed one page), including
  • Specific project assigned to the Scholar. 
  • Tasks and responsibilities assigned to the Scholar. 
  • To whom the Scholar will report. 
  • List of a minimum of three learning objectives the Housing Scholar will accomplish by the end of the internship.
  • List of three activities, above the day-to-day tasks and specific project assignments that will add value to the Scholar’s experience, for example: 

Attend executive board meetings, planning board meetings, seminars/workshops offered to permanent staff.

Become familiar with various facets of the development process by meeting with municipal officials, bankers, contractors, and community representatives and developers.

Please note that the Division of Community Resources staff will monitor the agency’s adherence to the job description during the placement period. Substantial changes that have not been approved may be reason for reassignment of the Scholar to another agency.

Nonprofits are permitted to apply for more than one Scholar if there are a variety of jobs to be filled. A separate job description must be submitted for each position.

Criteria:

A maximum of 30 nonprofits will be selected to participate in the program. Proposals will be reviewed by the staff of the Division of Community Resources and NJIT and judged by the criteria below:

• Ability to demonstrate a need for one or more Scholar(s) in a particular discipline.
• Extent to which nonprofit can provide a meaningful experience for the Scholar(s) for the duration of the placement.
• Quality of the job description and project assignments.
• Availability of a backup project or plan if the original assignment is delayed.
• Ability to supervise Scholar(s), and provide safe working conditions.
• A permanent Executive Director must be actively working at the time of application and for the duration for the placement.
• Ability to share in the cost of the program (30% of each student’s wages).
• Be in good standing with the Wachovia/DCA Housing Scholars Program.

Please note: In order to be considered for the program, you may submit your proposal via U.S. Mail, email, or online. 

U.S. Mail (hard copy) proposals must be postmarked no later than January 16, 2009, to:

Judy Robinson, Housing Scholars Coordinator
Attn: Housing and Community Dev. Scholars Program
Division of Career Development Services
New Jersey Institute of Technology
University Heights, 323 Dr. M. L. King, Jr. Blvd
Newark, New Jersey 07102

Emailed (electronic) proposals must be submitted no later than January 16, 2009 to jrobinso@njit.edu. 
Any questions regarding the program or this RFP call (609) 292-2213.

For more information about the Wachovia/DCA Housing Scholars Program go to http://www.njit.edu.