Education

Central State University students learn first hand about housing inequity

WYSO | By Kathryn Mobley

Published July 14, 2023 at 9:08 AM EDT

Prinesha Smith is a junior, double-majoring in psychology and criminal justice. Within her first two weeks of working with clients at the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority she worked with housing choice vouchers and attended meetings with landlords. — Prinesha Smith is a junior, double-majoring in psychology and criminal justice at CSU. Within her first two weeks of working with clients at the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority she worked with housing choice vouchers and attended meetings with landlords.

This summer — three Central State University students are learning first-hand the difficulties of securing affordable housing.

Prinesha Smith, a junior double-majoring in psychology and criminal justice; Ti’Aja Perry, a senior graduating in the fall of 2023, double majoring in political science and criminal justice; and Alanna Bryant, a junior majoring in business administration with a concentration in marketing — are living and working in Columbus.

Each day, they report to the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority, the city’s public housing agency, where they help the city’s underserved population navigate complex housing issues.

Ti’Aja Perry is a senior graduating in the fall of 2023. She's double majoring in political science and criminal justice. She's working in the Department of Resident Initiatives at the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority. She has been able to focus on project and time management. — Ti’Aja Perry is a CSU senior graduating in the fall of 2023. She's double majoring in political science and criminal justice. She's working in the Department of Resident Initiatives at the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority. She has been able to focus on project and time management.

Debbie Alberico is a CSU spokesperson. She said the students are also developing critical thinking skills applicable to any profession.

“It’s good for the students to learn how to empathize with the person they’re working with,” Alberico explained. “Also to use their academic skills and their common sense skills to help the person resolve the problem.”

During this comprehensive experience — CSU students interact with housing industry leaders in the Columbus area to better understand the need for housing equity.

“The students, they’re working in housing, in psychology, in criminal justice, in housing vouchers, in home choice for some people, they’re getting actual experience doing this job,” Alberico said.

Alanna Bryant is a CSU junior majoring in business administration with a concentration in marketing. This summer, she is interning with the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority. “We work on our public speaking skills, speak with guest speakers, gain insight on how to be successful in our careers, and offer support to one another.”

The summer-long internship is a collaborative effort between CSU, the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority and CGI Federal.