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February 12, 2007
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Sen. Dominic Pileggi Appoints Lisa Gaffney to Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency

Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-9) recently appointed Lisa Gaffney to serve on the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency.

Gaffney, who has been Housing Director for the Chester Economic Development Authority since 1998, said she looks forward to joining the board and having a positive impact on housing issues in Pennsylvania.

"PHFA plays a vital role in developing quality housing programs that impact the lives of individuals and communities throughout the Commonwealth," said Gaffney. "I look forward to working with the board and staff of PHFA to continue this important work."

Sen. Pileggi said he chose Gaffney for the position because he has seen her work on housing issues for many years. "Lisa is incredibly talented," Sen. Pileggi said. "Her work with the Chester Economic Development Authority has been tremendous, and the state will benefit from her knowledge and her energy."

The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency was created by the General Assembly in 1972 to provide affordable housing for older adults, families of modest means, and persons with disabilities.

Sen. Pileggi's choice of Gaffney was applauded by Elizabeth G. Hersh, Executive Director of the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania. "The appointment of Lisa Gaffney to the PHFA Board is one of the most exciting and innovative steps forward for Pennsylvania's housing market in recent history," Hersh said.

"Lisa comes from the trenches with a solid track record of success," Hersh added. "It's hard to imagine a more challenging environment for housing and community revitalization than in Chester City, but Lisa has shown that leadership, perseverance, partnerships and hard work can make a difference in even the toughest circumstances."

Hersh called Gaffney "a hard worker who thinks about the immediate challenges but never loses sight of the broader vision for a renewed community that offers housing opportunity to all residents, especially those facing significant economic hardship."

Gaffney is a graduate of Penn State University, where she earned a bachelor of arts degree in political science. She earned a master of arts degree in government administration from the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to working for the Chester Economic Development Authority, Gaffney worked for the Redevelopment Authority of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Office of Housing and Community Development, the Philadelphia City Planning Commission, and the Chester Community Improvement Project.

The 14-member board of the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency sets policy and oversees the organization's operations. To date, PHFA has financed more than 110,000 houses and 65,000 apartment units while saving 36,000 homes from foreclosure.