HAPB and FAMU launch college pathway for housing residents

The Housing Authority of Pompano Beach and Florida A&M University signed a partnership in Pompano Beach on Sept. 11, 2026 that aims to help eligible students move from stable housing to a college degree with little to no out-of-pocket tuition. The deal ties together grants, scholarships and university aid as part of HAPB’s broader effort to reduce generational poverty and expand economic mobility.

Why it matters: - The partnership is designed to lower the cost barrier to college for eligible Housing Authority of Pompano Beach students. - The agreement connects housing stability with higher education, workforce access and long-term economic mobility. - HAPB is using the deal to advance its Housing360 initiative, which targets generational poverty through education, careers and homeownership.

What happened: - The Housing Authority of Pompano Beach and Florida A&M University signed the Pompano Beach Pathways partnership on Sept. 11, 2026, at Provident Place in Pompano Beach. - The signing brought together FAMU President Marva B. Johnson, HAPB Executive Director Lennard Robinson and HAPB Board Chairman Whitney Rawls. - Students, families, community partners and elected officials attended the ceremony. - The morning program included an invocation by Florida State Sen. Rosalind Osgood, a proclamation from Pompano Beach Mayor Rex Hardin and remarks from Broward County School Board Chairwoman Sarah Leonardi.

The details: - The agreement is intended to let eligible HAPB students attend FAMU with little to no out-of-pocket tuition. - The financing stack includes Pell Grants, Bright Futures, FAMU Ignite and HAPB last-dollar scholarship support. - The partnership is framed as a pathway from stable housing to a college degree. - HAPB says families can contact the housing authority for program eligibility and next steps. - FAMU described the deal as a way to connect students with access, financial support and resources needed to persist and graduate. - Whitney Rawls said the partnership reflects a shared vision that links education with opportunity and stronger futures with potential economic outcomes. - HAPB provides affordable housing and supportive services to eligible families, seniors and individuals while working to build stronger communities. - FAMU is Florida’s only public Black university and an 1890 land-grant institution. - FAMU offers more than 50 graduate degree programs and 12 doctoral degrees across engineering, pharmaceutical sciences, public health, environmental science, education and the sciences. - HAPB media contacts listed in the release were Sophia Nelson and Alonda Thomas.

Between the lines: - The partnership turns a housing agency into a higher-education access point, which could help families see college as financially reachable. - The emphasis on last-dollar aid suggests the deal is built to fill remaining tuition gaps after other aid is applied. - The ceremony’s mix of university, housing, school and city leaders signals broad local support for the model. - The structure could serve as a template for other housing authorities looking to pair stable housing with college access.

What’s next: - HAPB says eligible families should contact the housing authority to learn about program eligibility and next steps. - The partnership will now move from signing ceremony to student enrollment and aid coordination. - HAPB will likely use Housing360 to continue linking housing assistance with education and career pathways.

The bottom line: - HAPB and FAMU are betting that removing tuition barriers inside a housing program can create a clearer route to college, jobs and long-term economic stability. - More information