October 16, 2009

The Charlottesville Area Community Foundation is giving $75,000 to the Charlottesville Police Department to expand its housing assistance program. The grant will help Charlottesville Police officers find housing in Charlottesville.

Three years ago, Joe Hatter wanted to buy a home for his family in Charlottesville. He was a loyal member of the Police Department, but he couldn't afford to live in the city.

"The prices are much higher then say if you lived in Fluvanna County or Green County," says Sgt. Hatter.

You may be surprised to know that Hatter is like the majority of Charlottesville Police officers. Less than a dozen that serve Charlottesville actually live there.

"An officer has a bigger stake in the community if he's living in the same community he works for," says Sgt. Hatter. He also had another incentive. Two of his children have a degenerative brain disorder, so Sgt. Hatter's wife drives to the University of Virginia Medical Center two to three times a week. Sgt. Hatter approached the Charlottesville Police Department Foundation. They helped him out.

"I'm absolutely grateful. It's made a huge difference in my life; in my family's life, my children," says Sgt. Hatter.

Keith Davis of West Reality says that while prices of homes in Charlottesville have dropped over the past year, it's nearly impossible for a police officer to purchase a home on their starting salary.

"No, not unless [they have] a spouse [who] is working, other sources of income or other grant areas," says Davis.

The $7500 from the CACF will be one step towards helping police officers to purchase a home in Charlottesville so they can serve, protect, and live in Charlottesville.