Vol. 22 No. 1 August 28, 1997

Mayor Clarence Harmon and William A. Peck pose with new homeowners

A first for the Employer-assisted Housing Program

At a media conference Friday, Aug. 22, in front of their new home in the 1000 block of South Taylor, Eric Ahern and Elizabeth de la Garza-Ahern are recognized by Mayor Clarence Harmon (left) and William A. Peck (right), M.D., executive vice chancellor for medical affairs and dean of the School of Medicine, as being the first couple to purchase property through the Washington University/Medical Center Employer-assisted Housing Program. Eric Ahern is a research technician in radiation oncology at the medical school. The housing program is part of House St. Louis, a grassroots housing partnership between Fannie Mae, lenders, non-profit groups and the City of St. Louis to provide affordable housing opportunities to 6,000 families. Employees of Washington University, the Medical Center and BJC Health System are eligible for loans up to $4,000 for down payments and closing costs if they purchase one-to-four-unit properties in the Forest Park Southeast or Skinker-DeBaliviere neighborhoods. Photo by Bob Boston.