Maricopa Community Colleges will offer affordable housing for students who are single parents

The Maricopa County Community College District has entered into a new partnership to support its students who are single parents.

The district, known as MCCCD, has teamed up with Save The Family, a nonprofit that helps families who are at-risk or experiencing homelessness. They’re building the Phoenix Scholar House, which will offer affordable housing to single parents pursuing postsecondary education.

Save The Family’s chief programs officer Erin Cowan-Hegg said they will also offer wraparound services with case managers on site.

“So we’re really there to help them check in, make sure that they’re meeting with their academic adviser, their financial advisor, make sure that they have a way to pay for their school, [and] look at scholarships," Cowan-Hegg said.

The 56-unit Phoenix Scholar House will offer one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans. Construction is expected to be completed by early 2026.

Save The Family’s chief housing development officer Allisia Fiorini said the project was inspired by the Family Scholar House, which is based in Kentucky.

“We introduced the project to Maricopa Community Colleges and this is just such a need on their end as many of their students experience housing deficiencies," Fiorini said.

Lindsey Wilson, MCCCD chief marketing and communications officer, said the announcement represents a first‑of‑its‑kind partnership for the college system and is a new, innovative model for supporting students.

"We recognize that there are other barriers that students face beyond just tuition costs," Wilson said. "Over 90% of our students are Maricopa County residents, and we're committed to working with community partners to address those barriers head-on. This project responds to rising housing costs, challenges with child care, food and transportation, which are often some of the most common barriers that disproportionately impact students who have children and can hinder college completion."