Katherine “Kit” Hadley Becomes Newest POAH Director - Test

Saint Paul Library Director joins national housing group board

Boston - Katherine “Kit” Hadley has joined the Preservation of Affordable Housing, Inc. (POAH) Board of Directors as its newest member. POAH is a nationally recognized nonprofit owner of affordable rental units for the elderly, the disabled and low-income working families in nine states and the District of Columbia.

Hadley has been the Director of the Saint Paul Public Library since August of 2009. She was previously the Director of the Minneapolis Public Library system from 2003-2007, where she was credited with creating a strategic plan to guide the system through tightening budgets following cuts in state aid.

In the housing arena, Ms. Hadley recently served as Executive Director of Heading Home Minnesota, a state-wide campaign to end homelessness in that state, working with leaders in business, government, faith communities, non-profits and philanthropy.  She also served as Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and Government Affairs Director at the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency from 1989-2002.  In the 1980s, Ms. Hadley was a staff attorney for Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services and the Legal Services Advocacy Project. 

“Kit is deeply knowledgeable about affordable housing, bringing to the POAH Board the perspective of our state housing agency partners,” said Herbert E. Morse, a founding director of POAH and Chairman of the organization’s Board of Directors.  “She also understands the needs of our residents and how stable housing is a foundation for creating opportunities for low-income families.”

“I’m pleased to join the Board to help advance POAH’s mission to preserve long-term housing affordability for the elderly and disabled, working families and others priced out
of the housing market,” said Hadley. “There’s so much work to do, especially today when so many families are losing their home because of the economic crisis.  I look forward to helping POAH continue its successes.”

A graduate of Hampshire College in Massachusetts and the University of Minnesota Law School, she received a Reginald Heber Smith Community Lawyer Fellowship upon graduation from law school.  Ms. Hadley has served on the boards of the National Council of State Housing Agencies, the Minnesota Citizens League and the St. Paul Public Housing Authority, and is currently on the boards of the Minneapolis Foundation, the University of Minnesota Foundation, the Hearth Connection and the Lawyer's Trust Account Board.

POAH has been on a rapid growth curve since its founding eight year ago under the leadership of its Board and President, Amy Anthony. POAH operates 6,470 affordable rental units for the elderly, the disabled and low-income working families in nine states and the District of Columbia. It recently acquired Grove Parc, a 504-unit Section 8 housing development located at a key site in the Woodlawn neighborhood of Chicago.