About the Bluefield Housing Authority

Proud sponsor of the "Bluefield Blazers" youth basketball team

Bluefield Housing Authority is a government agency operating in Mercer County, WV. The agency office is located at 1600 Hill Avenue, Bluefield, WV 24701. The Authority operates under the direction of a five member Board of Commissioners, and in accordance with all applicable Federal and State Laws.

The agency provides rental subsidy programs to low-income families in Mercer County, and operates the Public Housing Program in the City of Bluefield. Approximately 565 families in Mercer County depend on the Housing Authority for help with obtaining and keeping safe, decent, sanitary and affordable housing. These housing programs are funded solely by federal funding through the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The Authority has a 10 year history of providing activities and programs for youth and young adults in the community. Statistics show that children who are economically disadvantaged meet the federal and state guidelines for being "at-risk" for involvement with drugs, alcohol and crime. Programs offered by the Housing Authority through camps, sports programs, and other activities provide educational and recreational activities to keep youth involved in alternative activities to drugs and crime. These programs are funded by grants, when available, and by generous contributions from local businesses that support the agency's efforts to work with youth.

We are the proud sponsor of the "Bluefield Blazers" youth basketball team, which has helped many young men in the area improve athletic abilities and sportsmanship, relate to positive role models, improve social skills, and increase awareness of the effects of drugs and crime. The team has traveled to many states in the east to compete in tournaments, and has hosted tournaments in Bluefield. To participate on the team, players must maintain a minimum GPA or be in tutoring (provided by the agency), and must remain drug and crime free. This program has been very successful and was the motivation behind the development of the West Virginia Blazers.

On July 14, 2008, the Bluefield Housing Authority Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to develop a basketball team to participate in the American Basketball Assocation Professional Sports League. The goals of developing this team, the West Virginia Blazers, are to provide positive activities for young men in the area, to provide the community with the beneftis of a professional basketball team, and to raise money to continue to support programs and activities which will serve at-risk youth in the community.

The Blazers expect to be very competitive in the Professional Basketball arena and hope to draw community support from Southern and Central West Virginia. We also hope to attract players, fans and sponsors from our neighbors in the state of Virginia.