Sophia Hoffacker

Sophia Hoffacker is a PhD student in Urban & Regional Planning at the University of Michigan. Her research focuses on affordable housing, public health, gender equity, and LGBTQ communities. Her dissertation topic is about affordable housing developments targeted at queer older adults in the U.S.

Sophia grew up in Port Huron, Michigan, where she developed her love for the Midwest, and Washington, D.C., where she grew her passion for cities. She holds an M.A. in Community Planning from the University of Washington Tacoma (2023) and a B.A. in Environmental Studies (2016) from the University of Vermont. Prior to starting her doctoral studies, Sophia working in politics and local government in Seattle for seven years, including stints as a program manager for a local candidate training program, field director for a statewide climate justice ballot initiative campaign, and project manager for the Tacoma parks system. Sophia’s interest in research began during her time at equitable development advocacy organization Puget Sound Sage, where she co-authored participatory action research reports on renewable energy transitions and disaster gentrification.