DCHA Celebrates 20 Gradua...

DCHA Celebrates 20 Graduates of the Apprenticeship Training Program

The DC Housing Authority (DCHA) honored the 20 graduates who made up the eighth class of the Apprenticeship Training Program (ATP) during a Dec. 5 ceremony at the EnVision Center.

Joined by their friends and family, graduates received certificates and heard congratulatory and inspirational remarks from Joseph DeFelice, Assistant Deputy Secretary and Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Other speakers included previous ATP graduates, Edgar Frye and Carlton Lane, and DCHA Maintenance Apprentice Trainee Tia Johnson, who offered reflections on their own positive experiences in the program. DCHA staff, including Brian Harris and Ty'Ronn Spriggs of the Office of Resident Services, and ATP Painting Instructor Kermit Johnson, also offered words of encouragement to the new graduates.

The 2025 ATP graduates are: Ayana Smith, Christian Staton, Daneisha Tate, Darsheita Malloy, Delloyd Kyle, Dennis Starks Jr., Ebony Franklin, JuaQuina Smarr, Juraine McElhaney, Kourtney Mills, Kris Daryl Fisher, Kristal Johnson, Marlon McKenzie, Mekhi Traion Johnson, Melvin Fleming, Nakeya Queen, Pauline Milton, Shalontia Dowe, Tia Johnson, and Trinette Campbell.

ATP is a paid 12-month program that enrolls DCHA public housing residents or Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) participants. ATP provides an opportunity to gain skills in the building maintenance industry. The program involves 20 hours of classroom and on-the-job training every week. On-the-job training takes place in partnership with the DCHA Property Management Operations Team.

ATP graduates become Certified Apartment Maintenance Technicians (CAMT) and have the opportunity to complete additional industry-recognized certifications. Learn more about ATP at https://www.dchousing.org/atp.

Last Updated on December 22, 2025