Staff Reports | Dwellings & Multifamily
Maricopa Community Colleges is announcing a new partnership with Save the Family Foundation of Arizona and the Phoenix Scholar House — an innovative housing and education program aimed at supporting single-parent students pursuing postsecondary education.
The comprehensive program combines affordable housing with on-site wraparound services and educational pathways, all under one roof. Construction on the new Phoenix Scholar House began earlier this year and is estimated to be completed in early 2026, according to a press release.
“Maricopa Community Colleges prides itself on providing support services that help students succeed both inside and outside the classroom,” said Dr. Steven R. Gonzales, Maricopa Community Colleges chancellor.
“By partnering with the Phoenix Scholar House, we can empower learners who are balancing work, school, and the everyday responsibilities that come with being a parent. This initiative is a significant step forward, helping remove systemic barriers and create meaningful opportunities for long-term success.”
Housing + Education = Empowerment
The Phoenix Scholar House provides program participants with the tools and support needed to thrive both academically and personally, while helping break the cycle of poverty. Residents gain access to safe, stable, and affordable housing, as well as additional programming focused on continuing education, including financial literacy and career development. Upon successful completion of the pre-residential stage, learners enter the residential stage.
The unique model has been leveraged in nine markets across the U.S., serving more than 106,000 households, the release states.
“This partnership reflects Save the Family’s belief that access to both stable housing and education is fundamental to breaking the cycle of poverty,” said Robyn Julien, CEO of Save the Family Foundation of Arizona.
“We’re grateful for the partnership with Maricopa Community Colleges and look forward to connecting with other career, family, and academic partners in the community to make this program strong out of the gate. Together, we can set families up for success and get them closer to home.”
The cost of living continues to skyrocket across the Valley, with many low-income households spending more than half their income on housing, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition. In Phoenix, residents need an income of just over $74,000 to afford rent, up 35.9% since 2020. According to Zillow, Arizona residents will pay just over $2,000 a month in rent alone.
A key contributing factor is the statewide shortage of rental homes — specifically, a shortfall of 138,227 units available to low-income renters.
