DWS Press Release
February 12, 2015
Housing and Community Development Director Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award
SALT LAKE CITY - SALT LAKE CITY (Feb. 12, 2015) Gordon D. Walker, director of Utah’s Housing and Community Development Division (HCD), received the 2014 Utah Apartment Association Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions and invaluable service in the housing industry. Under his leadership and collaboration, the State of Utah has reduced chronic homelessness by 72 "Gordon is recognized as a leader in bringing together state, local and community leaders to collaborate in solving difficult issues," said Jon Pierpont, executive director of the Department of Workforce Service. "He has focused a significant portion of his career on removing barriers to housing and developing programs that serve the most vulnerable."
Since coming to HCD, Walker has developed and implemented several acclaimed and innovative
- The Olene Walker Housing Loan Fund Board has streamlined application processes and effectively increased the loan fund corpus from $42 million to more than $124 million.
- In 2014, the Olene Walker Housing Loan Fund Board collaborated with various lending institutions in Utah's private sector to create a Transportation Oriented Development Fund, to invest Community Reinvestment Act Funds into the local community.
- In 2014 alone, more than $172 million dollars were leveraged with other fund sources to help construct or rehabilitate 972 units of affordable housing throughout Utah.
- The production rate from the Olene Walker Housing Loan Fund has averaged 750-800 multi-family units and 100-125 single-family units per year over the past five years.
Walker currently serves as Chairman of the Permanent Community Impact Fund Board, and provides counsel to the Utah State Homeless Coordinating Committee and the Olene Walker Housing Loan Fund Board.
Walker stays active in the community and serves as Chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission of Cottonwood Heights, Utah. He is married to former Senator Carlene Walker. They have four children and 13 grandchildren.
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