HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) has officially announced the opening of applications for the 2026 Kathy A. Possinger Housing Policy Fellowship. The program aims to fund critical research on housing and community development while fostering leadership within the field.
Two fellowships are available, each providing a $12,000 stipend across 12 months. Recipients will receive monthly payments of $1,000 to support research activities, which can include expert interviews, resource acquisition, study materials, and travel for related conferences.
Applicants will be selected from two distinct backgrounds to promote diverse perspectives in housing research. One fellow will come from a university setting, while the other will be chosen from outside academia. The research findings, addressing pressing housing challenges, will be made publicly available to benefit the broader housing industry and community.
“We plan to fund the research of two fellows again in 2026,” said Robin Wiessmann, PHFA Executive Director and CEO. “With strong interest both inside and outside academia, we believe there is value in supporting two fellows because of the different perspectives that will be reflected in the research conducted. That, of course, benefits the state’s housing industry by giving housing professionals, and the general public, access to the findings of both housing studies.”
Named to honor Kathy A. Possinger, a highly regarded affordable housing advocate who served Pennsylvanians for two decades, the fellowship underscores PHFA’s commitment to addressing housing challenges and cultivating leadership in the field.
Applications are open to all Pennsylvania residents aged 18 and older, except current PHFA staff and board members. Interested individuals must submit their applications by 5 p.m. on Friday, August 1, 2025. Details about the fellowship and application requirements can be found on the PHFA website.
This fellowship builds on a legacy of impactful research across topics such as property taxes and aging, cooperative housing models, and the relationship between zoning policies and race. By advancing innovative research and supporting emerging leaders, PHFA continues to propel meaningful changes in the affordable housing landscape.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.