#United States #Harrisburg #Pennsylvania Housing #Zachary Phillips #Evaine Sing

Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency Names New Policy Fellows

The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) has announced the selection of Zachary Phillips and Dr. Evaine K. Sing as the recipients of the 2026 Kathy A. Possinger Housing Policy Fellowship. This fellowship, named in honor of a significant figure in affordable housing advocacy, provides a unique opportunity for promising researchers to conduct critical research that will enhance policy understanding and foster advancements in the affordable housing industry.

Fellowship Overview

Both Phillips and Sing are set to receive a stipend of up to $12,000 for their research endeavors throughout the year. PHFA's Executive Director and CEO, Robin Wiessmann, praised the fellows, stating that their impressive backgrounds and qualifications make them ideal candidates to tackle pressing housing challenges. The insights generated from this fellowship aim to aid policymakers and advance housing solutions in Pennsylvania.

Zachary Phillips: Addressing Veteran Housing Issues

Phillips, currently pursuing a master's degree in business analytics at Georgia Tech, works as an economic development analyst for the Pennsylvania Department of Community Economic Development. He oversees HOME contracts across 16 counties, managing substantial annual funding of approximately $20 million. An Army Reservist with dual bachelor's degrees in economics and political science from Syracuse University, Phillips aims to address the housing challenges for veterans in his fellowship project.

His research will focus on the obstacles veterans encounter, particularly in rural and deindustrialized areas where affordable housing resources are often inadequate. Phillips intends to investigate the disconnection between federal and state housing initiatives and the actual experiences of veterans transitioning back to civilian life. His goal is to identify intervention strategies that can better support veterans facing issues like eligibility gaps, stigma from landlords, and health-related challenges. This research promises to uncover essential policy innovations that facilitate smoother transitions for veterans, especially during pivotal moments such as military discharge or reentry from incarceration.

Dr. Evaine K. Sing: Innovative Solutions for Urban Land Use

Dr. Evaine K. Sing brings a wealth of experience as a registered landscape architect and principal at EKS Solutions, where she collaborates with municipalities and community groups on strategic planning and program implementation. With an impressive academic background, including a doctorate in social science, a master's in public policy and management, and a bachelor's in landscape architecture, Sing's expertise is complemented by her previous role as executive director of Grounded Strategies, a nonprofit organization focused on community development.

Her research will delve into the dual challenges of urban vacancy and the urgent demand for affordable housing in Pennsylvania's legacy cities. By targeting areas like Pittsburgh and Wilkinsburg, Sing aims to explore the potential of modular housing and prefabricated construction as viable solutions for underutilized plots of land. With thousands of vacant lots in Pittsburgh, many of which are publicly owned, her project will work towards innovative land-use strategies and zoning reforms that can unlock these areas for community-centered housing projects.

Supporting Research Initiatives

The stipends provided through the PHFA fellowship can be utilized for an array of research activities, including expert interviews, resource acquisition, and travel for attending relevant conferences. This year marks the seventh iteration of the fellowship, which continues to honor the legacy of Kathy A. Possinger—an advocate who significantly contributed to affordable housing over her two-decade public service career.

Conclusion

The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency's commitment to fostering research through fellowships like these not only aids in developing impactful strategies for affordable housing but also signifies a broader recognition of the multifaceted nature of housing issues in the state. As Phillips and Sing embark on their research journeys, their findings are anticipated to make concrete contributions to housing policies that improve the lives of many Pennsylvanians, particularly those in vulnerable circumstances.

To learn more about their work and PHFA's initiatives, visit the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency's official website.