Fund’s Top Executive Named to West Virginia Affordable Housing Hall of Fame

Joe W. Hatfield, Executive Director of the West Virginia Housing Development Fund, has been inducted to the West Virginia Affordable Housing Hall of Fame.

Governor Joe Manchin, Fund Executive Director Joe Hatfield and Fund Board Chairman Larry Puccio.

Delivering the keynote address at the induction ceremony, which was held at the Embassy Suites on Thursday evening, May 6, 2010, Gov. Joe Manchin praised Hatfield for his passion and dedication to making certain that state residents have a real shot at home ownership.

“You could not do this job without passion, and Joe has a passion,” stated Manchin. “There is no way he could do this job the way he does, as well as he does, without passion.”

Hatfield was honored by a number of dignitaries, including a representative from Senator Jay Rockefeller, Larry Puccio, Chairman of the Fund’s Board of Directors, and Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito. Speaking on behalf of Capito, Mary Elisabeth Eckerson, the congresswoman’s district director, described Hatfield as “a West Virginian through and through.” Eckerson noted that a proclamation detailing Hatfield’s accomplishments was read on the floor of the US House of Representatives and entered into the congressional record.

Hatfield told the crowd that his honor needed to be shared with the governors he’s served under, the state’s congressional delegation and the board members and staff of the Housing Development Fund.

“Without them, none of this would be possible,” he said.

The West Virginia Affordable Housing Hall of Fame honors individuals, groups or agencies who have demonstrated a lifelong commitment to affordable housing and whose career leadership has achieved important and lasting results in the community.

Lora Pierce, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity for West Virginia and Fund Executive Director Joe Hatfield.

Recipients of this award are leaders in affordable housing and housing oriented community development. Individuals or groups will have shown dedication and worked diligently to address affordable housing in West Virginia. Nominees include those individuals who have created community projects, advocate for low-income families or assist them in obtaining affordable housing, are actively involved in affordable housing related community groups and organizations , and/or have demonstrated accomplishments in improving housing conditions in West Virginia.

Hatfield has worked for the West Virginia Housing Development Fund since 1973 serving as its Executive Director since 1981. Joe has expanded the agency during that time to reach all 55 counties of the State with affordable housing programs, economic development initiatives and supportive housing services for West Virginians affected by flooding.

Since its inception in 1968, the Housing Development Fund has sold more than $3 billion in tax-exempt bonds to finance more than 108,000 housing units. Under Hatfield’s leadership, the Housing Development Fund has consistently been rated as one of the strongest in the nation. As a testament to responsible lending, the West Virginia Housing Development Fund did not experience the great tide of foreclosures over the past two years as other loan agencies in this critical economic time.

The West Virginia Housing Development Fund is an Equal Housing Opportunity Lender.