The District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA) has launched the 2025 Todd A. Lee Scholarship for students pursuing careers in affordable housing.
Lee, who served as executive director and CEO of DCHFA from 2016 until his death in 2020, focused on innovation, infrastructure, process and financing in real estate throughout his career.
Lee joined DCHFA to create an impact in the city through the preservation and construction of affordable and workforce housing in the District of Columbia.
“The Todd A. Lee scholarship was created to honor a leader and empower scholars to have a career in the affordable housing space. The future of affordable housing is in our hands, as well as in the hands of the younger generation. The agency is happy to continue this scholarship for the fifth year,” said Christopher E. Donald, executive director and CEO of DCHFA.
As an extension of the Lee legacy, DCHFA launched the scholarship in 2020 for students who aspire to careers in affordable housing. Since its inception, 21 recipients, including repeat awardees, have received the scholarship.
“I am passionate about helping people create an environment that’s comfortable enough for them to call home. I want to continue to be part of an organization that continues to provide affordable housing to economically challenged communities,” said Sade Boyea, a 2024 scholarship recipient.
The eligibility requirements for the Todd A. Lee Scholarship are:
- The applicant must have completed at least their sophomore year at an accredited university or be enrolled in at least a three-quarter or full-time graduate program.
- The applicant must be in a bachelor’s or master of science or arts program at an accredited four-year university or graduate school.
- Must have declared a major or course of study in real estate development, real property management, mortgage finance, business, engineering, architecture, computer science, community development, economic development and/or construction-related field.
- The applicant must be a resident of the District or demonstrate prior long-term D.C. residency by providing an official transcript that reflects residency, school attendance and graduation from a high school in the city.
The minimum scholarship awarded will be $5,000. Selected recipients will be notified during the summer.
For complete eligibility criteria and to apply for the Todd A. Lee Scholarship, go to https://www.dchfa.org/todd-lee-scholarship/. The Todd A. Lee Scholarship portal will close on May 30.