The median price of a non-vacation home in Vermont rose to $244,000, according to Vermont property transfer tax records for homes sold through September 30, 2020. While the 7% increase from 2019 may reflect increased demand from the pandemic’s “race for space,” Vermont is no stranger to rising home prices which have increased steadily since 2014.
Data and Statistics
HUD releases data on tenants in tax credit housing
Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released its latest report on the characteristics of tenants living in apartments funded by federal housing tax credits as of 2017. The data reveals that Vermont renters living in tax credit housing are older and more racially diverse than Vermont households overall. The report also suggests that Vermont’s subsidized apartments tend to be more affordable than those in other states.
September 30th is still the deadline for 2020 Census data collection!
Despite the COVID pandemic's impacts on the 2020 Census, the statutory deadline for 2020 Census data collection has not been extended and complete and accurate data is critical.
Vermont is among states with the lowest response rates in the country. We need everyone living in Vermont to be counted to ensure our taxpayer dollars come back to the state, and to ensure our legislative districts are accurate.
Vermont housing market remains steady during pandemic
Despite the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, Vermont home prices continued to climb in the first six months of 2020, based on the latest data from Vermont Property Transfer tax records. The median home sold for $234,940, a roughly 3% increase from 2019. Although the pandemic initially depressed the number of sales, the housing market appears to have returned to near-normal conditions as of the end of June.
Municipal Engagement for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion tool now available
The Local Solutions and Community Action Team of the Vermont Governor’s Economic Mitigation and Recovery Task Force created a tool for municipalities and local leaders looking to expand the vibrancy of their communities. The ideas and recommendations in the tool come from Vermonters and in many cases have already been implemented with success in communities across the state.
Vermont Housing Needs Assessment reveals racial disparities
Research conducted by VHFA for the 2020-2025 Vermont Housing Needs Assessment reveals that Vermont’s non-White households fare worse than White households according to numerous economic and housing-related metrics. Much of the data from the report is available on VHFA’s regularly updated Vermont housing data site.
Point in Time Count for 2020 shows slight increase in number of homeless
Newly released data from the 2020 Point-in-Time Count in January found 1,110 people experiencing homelessness in Vermont, a slight increase from the prior year. That number has increased to over 2,000 people during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Vermont Coalition to End Homelessness.
VHFA responds to call for racial equity
The Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) is heeding the call Governor Phil Scott made ealier this week “to reflect on what role each of us can play to end hate, racism and bigotry.” As our nation grapples with complex discussions around institutional racism, the housing industry must be a focal vehicle for both analysis of past racism and how we can work toward eradicating institutional racism in the future. To do this we need to examine the role VHFA can play to address the reality that housing policy and finance has been used to perpetuate racial inequalities.
Report suggests 17% of Vermont households at risk of housing insecurity due to job loss
A new report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston estimates that job losses related to the COVID-19 pandemic could put 21,351 Vermont homeowner and 23,561 renter households at high risk of not being able to pay their mortgage or rent.
Don’t forget to complete the 2020 Census!
Haven’t gotten around to completing the 2020 Census yet? If you did not receive materials in the mail with instructions to complete the 2020 Census, you can follow the link below, which provides comprehensive instructions to complete the process:
On March 12th, the United States Census Bureau began issuing questionnaires in the mail to homes across the United States for residents to complete the 2020 Census. The very next day, Governor Phil Scott declared a state of emergency in Vermont due to the coronavirus pandemic and as of May 12th, only 49.7% of Vermont households have responded to the questionnaire, compared to a nationwide rate of 58.6%.