Inside a College Housing Lifeline in the Bronx

Grace Pavlock, a first-generation college student from Willis, Texas, moved to New York to attend the University of Mount Saint Vincent but struggled with housing insecurity after exhausting her financial aid. With no stable living situation, she considered leaving school until she discovered Dax House, an all-women residence in a Bronx convent offering monthly rent for $250 along with case management and social services. Dax House, a collaboration between the university, Depaul USA, and the Sisters of Charity, provides year-round housing for over 90 low-income, BIPOC, and first-generation students annually. Pavlock, now a junior studying public policy, credits the program for allowing her to balance an on-campus job, a tech internship, and a student government campaign—opportunities she says would have been impossible without stable housing. The program operates four residences across New York City with around 20 beds total, offering students a permanent address and independence while receiving support. According to University President Susan Burns, Dax House’s holistic approach—including housing, case management, and social services—has resulted in a 94% student persistence rate, aligning with the university’s Catholic mission to address systemic barriers. Burns emphasized that Dax House differs from traditional campus housing by being independently run, fostering greater student autonomy. The initiative reflects a broader effort to combat college homelessness nationwide, providing long-term solutions rather than short-term fixes. Pavlock described her initial skepticism upon learning about Dax House, fearing it was a scam, but now calls it life-changing. Without the program, she said she would have had to work full-time to afford housing, limiting her ability to engage in academics and extracurriculars. The university’s partnership ensures students receive not just shelter but wraparound support to succeed academically and professionally, demonstrating how targeted interventions can transform trajectories for vulnerable populations.