Grant Helps Charlottesville Police Officers Buy Homes in the City
Save Email Print
Bookmark and Share
Updated: 12:51 PM Oct 18, 2009
Grant Helps Charlottesville Police Officers Buy Homes in the City
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.
Posted: 12:51 PM Oct 18, 2009
Reporter: Jessica Jaglois
Email Address: jessica.jaglois@newsplex.com
width:320 and height: 240 and picwidth: 213 and pciheight: 159
Font Size:

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.


Latest Comments

Posted by: Rusty Location: Shenandoah, VA on Oct 18, 2009 at 03:53 AM

What is sad is that programs like this need to be in place to start with.
Posted by: Sgt. 3rd. Class Location: Fifeville on Oct 17, 2009 at 10:02 PM

Who cares what cops get paid. What really matters is that we have Art in Place, and a race dialogue.
Posted by: Stella Location: Charlottesville on Oct 16, 2009 at 07:09 PM

This sounds like a wonderful program. I think anything we can do to support those who put their lives on the line each day to protect us are worthy of more support (and salary) than they currently receive. We should do everything we can to keep these fine patriots and their families living in Charlottesville.
Weather Authority Outlook
News Poll
Should Virginia ban texting while driving?

Yes, for everyone
Yes, but only for teens
No