Ramsey County Commissioner Blake Huffman has been named 2014 Volunteer of the Year by Wells Fargo's Minnesota Volunteer chapter for his work with the Shoreview Area Housing Initiative, an organization he started to help low-income families find affordable housing.
Huffman, 49, of Shoreview, a vice president of strategy for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, founded the nonprofit in 1998. It buys and renovates foreclosed and problem properties in northern Ramsey County, then rents them to single parents below market rates.
The housing program currently owns five homes occupied by 22 residents who are in turn required to maintain "life plans" for career and education goals. Wells Fargo will give the program $1,000.
Huffman represents Ramsey County's First District. He was elected in 2012.
KEVIN DUCHSCHERE
