Innovative Fellowship to Tackle Affordable Housing Challenges
Funded research will benefit policymakers and the affordable housing industry
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency has named Zachary Phillips and Dr. Evaine K. Sing as its 2026 Kathy A. Possinger Housing Policy Fellowship awardees. Both Phillips and Sing will receive a financial stipend of up to $12,000 during the year to conduct independent research benefiting the affordable housing industry.
According to PHFA Executive Director and CEO Robin Wiessmann, both Zachary and Evaine exhibit outstanding qualifications to serve as PHFA housing policy fellows. "The work of previous fellows has produced valuable insights to help expand housing opportunities and tackle housing issues. I am excited to see the research these two produce that will benefit our mission to provide affordable housing to Pennsylvanians," Wiessmann stated.
Phillips is currently pursuing a master’s degree in business analytics at Georgia Tech and works as an economic development analyst at the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development. In his role, he manages HOME contracts across 16 counties, overseeing approximately $20 million in annual funding allocations. An Army Reservist, he also holds dual bachelor's degrees in economics and political science from Syracuse University.
His research will investigate the housing challenges faced by Pennsylvania's veterans, especially in rural and deindustrialized communities where housing assistance can be fragmented or difficult to access. His work will explore the gaps between available federal and state housing programs and the actual experiences veterans face in civilian life. Issues such as eligibility gaps, landlord stigma, and health-related challenges for veterans will be focal points. He aims to identify policy and program innovations that can better support veterans during crucial transition points such as military discharge, reentry from incarceration, or recovery from substance use.
Dr. Evaine K. Sing, a registered landscape architect, is the principal of EKS Solutions. She advises municipalities, community development corporations (CDCs), and resident-led groups on strategic planning, program design, and implementation frameworks. Previously, she has served as executive director for Pittsburgh-based nonprofit Grounded Strategies. Dr. Sing holds a doctorate in social science from Royal Roads University, a master’s degree in public policy and management from Carnegie Melon, and a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture from Virginia Tech.
Her research project will address the dual challenges of vacant urban land and the increasing need for affordable housing in Pennsylvania's legacy cities. Focusing on both Pittsburgh and the Borough of Wilkinsburg, her project examines how modular housing and prefabricated construction can be integrated with underutilized parcels to create cost-effective, resilient, and community-centered housing solutions. With an alarming number of vacant lots in Pittsburgh, many of which are publicly owned, her work seeks to unlock these properties' potential through innovative land-use strategies, zoning reform, and policy alignment.
The stipends awarded to both researchers through PHFA's housing policy fellowship can be applied to various activities that support their approved research. These activities may include conducting interviews with experts, securing resources and study materials, and travel associated with attending relevant conferences.
This fellowship marks the seventh year of PHFA's housing policy fellowship. It was renamed the Kathy A. Possinger Housing Policy Fellowship in honor of Kathy A. Possinger, a champion of affordable housing who served on the PHFA board. Possinger dedicated two decades to serving Pennsylvanians through her work in both public and private housing sectors.
About PHFA
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency is committed to providing affordable homeownership and rental housing options for older adults, low- and moderate-income families, and those with special housing needs in Pennsylvania. Through managed mortgage programs and investments in multifamily housing developments, PHFA promotes economic development across the state. Since its inception, it has generated over $20.1 billion in funding, facilitated more than 206,750 single-family home mortgage loans, supported the construction of 110,284 rental units, and assisted over 51,400 families in avoiding foreclosure. PHFA's operations rely heavily on the sale of securities and user fees, rather than public tax dollars, and the agency is overseen by a dedicated 14-member board.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Kathy A. Possinger Housing Policy Fellowship?
The fellowship is an initiative by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency aimed at supporting independent research in the field of affordable housing.
Who are the 2026 fellows?
The 2026 fellows are Zachary Phillips and Dr. Evaine K. Sing, each focusing on unique housing challenges in Pennsylvania.
What kind of research are the fellows conducting?
The fellows will explore the housing needs of veterans and the challenges presented by vacant urban land in relation to affordable housing solutions.
How much financial support do the fellows receive?
Each fellow receives a stipend of up to $12,000 for their research activities throughout the year.
Why was the fellowship renamed?
The fellowship was renamed to honor Kathy A. Possinger, a notable figure in the field of affordable housing who contributed significantly to housing initiatives over two decades.
