A Couple of Joes

By Mark Olshaker
October 1, 2019 2 min read

NH&RA’s 2019 Vision Award Honorees

Each year since 2004, National Housing & Rehabilitation Association has bestowed its Affordable Housing Vision Award to affordable housing and community development leaders who have made significant and valuable contributions to the field and demonstrated years of leadership, commitment and imagination. Recognizing that providing housing for those who cannot meet the market rates is a complex and challenging endeavor, demanding both perseverance and foresight, NH&RA seeks to single out individuals in all aspects of the industry whose careers and achievements serve as examples and role models. Traditionally, one man or woman is chosen from the profit sector and one from the nonprofit or government sector.

Honorees are nominated and selected by an expert committee of NH&RA directors representing a wide range of disciplines, including developers, syndicators, attorneys, accountants, government and regulatory officials and other affordable housing industry professionals.

The two individuals honored this year have demonstrated impressive leadership in the field and truly exemplify the vision the award recognizes and promotes. Joe Hagan is president emeritus of National Equity Fund, Inc. of Chicago, IL. Lyndel J. “Joe” Wishcamper is founder and president of The Wishcamper Companies, Inc., of Portland, ME. They will be honored at an awards luncheon in conjunction with the NH&RA Fall Developers Forum on October 16 at the Harvard Club of Boston.

“Our 2019 honorees represent the very best in our field,” says NH&RA President and Executive Director Thom Amdur. “Joe Hagan and Joe Wishcamper have demonstrated innovation, leadership and commitment to their respective businesses and the affordable housing community. They have each led teams responsible for the financing and preservation of tens of thousands of affordable apartments across the country and countless more community development projects.”

Last year’s awardees were William McGonagle, administrator of the Boston Housing Authority, and John W. Gahan III, a partner in the law firm Sullivan & Worcester.

Breaking Ground

Jennifer Leimaile Ho, Minnesota Housing Commissioner and Incoming Chair of National Council of State Housing Agencies

Pamela Martineau • December 1, 2024 10 min read

Earlier this fall, Jennifer Leimaile Ho was elected chair of the National Council of State Housing Agencies’ (NCSHA) 2025 Board of Directors. Ho is the Commissioner of Minnesota Housing, having been appointed by Governor Tim Walz in January 2019 and reappointed in 2023.

“Business as Usual”

Leaders in Equity Express Optimism Despite an Uncertain Future

Abram Mamet • December 1, 2024 9 min read

Any outside observer may assume some unease amongst the low-income housing industry. Buffeted on the one hand by residual stressors from the COVID-19 pandemic and on the other by the uncertain prospects of an incoming federal administration keen on cutting spending and shrinking government programs, the affordable housing landscape is experiencing an inflection point.

NCSHA Recognizes Stand-Out Affordable Housing Programs and Initiatives

Pamela Martineau • December 1, 2024 7 min read

This fall, the National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA) recognized 17 programs offered by state housing finance agencies across the nation that creatively developed tools to tackle their communities’ affordable housing challenges.