Austin, TX – Over the past 12 years the Texas Affiliation of Affordable Housing (TAAHP) has awarded more than $930,000 in scholarships to students pursuing higher education. Eligibility is limited to residents of affordable housing communities owned or managed by TAAHP members. The scholarship program was created to support some of Texas’s most vulnerable students as they pursue education as a pathway to self-sufficiency and long-term success.
As demand for affordable housing grows, the need for educational support has increased as well. TAAHP awarded 61 students with scholarships this year — more than fifteen times the number awardedd in 2019 (four recipients).
In 2026, TAAHP awarded a record $280,000 in scholarships to residents of affordable housing communities across Texas, up from $200,000 last year and just $10,000 seven years ago. Generous contributions from members have enabled TAAHP to expand its investment in Texans striving to reach their full potential and to break the cycle of poverty for themselves and future generations.
“Supporting education is central to the TAAHP Foundation’s mission, and we’re proud to sustain our scholarship program,” said Roger Arriaga, TAAHP Executive Director. “We are grateful to the donors who enable this work annually and look forward to the achievements of our scholarship recipients.”
“Each year’s students remind us why we do this,” said Kathryn Saar, TAAHP President. “We are proud to support them as they pursue their chosen career paths.”
Applicants are evaluated on a rigorous 100-point scale that considers GPA, writing ability, extracurricular involvement, recommendations from instructors and mentors, and contextual factors such as school, course load, family responsibilities, and career goals.
The 2026 scholarships were announced and presented at TAAHP’s 2026 Texas Housing Conference. The next application period opens in spring 2027, with recipients to be announced at the 2027 Texas Housing Conference in July.
About the Texas Affiliation of Affordable Housing Providers (TAAHP)
The Texas Affiliation of Affordable Housing Providers (TAAHP) is a non-profit trade association serving affordable housing industry providers. TAAHP works to increase the supply and quality of affordable housing for Texans with limited incomes and special needs. Founded in 1997, TAAHP is considered the “Voice of Affordable Housing in Texas,” and represents housing industry professionals involved in the financing, design, development, and management of affordable housing communities in Texas through public/private partnerships. TAAHP members produce tens of thousands of award-winning affordable housing communities with state-of-the-art designs, amenities, and resident services. For more information, visit www.taahp.org.