Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) is pleased to announce the launch of the VHFA Housing Investment Fund with Vermont Community Foundation (VCF) as its founding investor. This will be initiated with a VCF investment of $1.5 million for a pre-development program and a long-term loan program made to developers of affordable rental housing. VHFA is working to expand the fund with investments from other community partners to grow its impact.
Development
VHFA awards federal and state tax credits to develop and preserve affordable housing
The Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) Board of Commissioners announced on Monday the award of federal and state housing tax credits and loans to support the development, rehabilitation or preservation of 104 permanently affordable apartments in six communities across the state.
VHFA previously awarded federal allocated or Ceiling tax credits in March. The latest funding round includes additional federal Bond credits, Vermont Affordable Housing Tax Credits and permanent and construction loans issued by VHFA.
AHP funding application opens June 8
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (FHLBB)'s 2020 Affordable Housing Program (AHP) will begin to accept applications on June 8, 2020. The program will award approximately $18.1 million in grants and low-interest loans through member institutions to organizations promoting homeownership and rental housing opportunities for low income households.
VHFA awards federal tax credits for future construction of affordable apartments statewide
The Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) Board of Commissioners announced yesterday that its annual allocation of federal housing tax credits will support the development of 130 permanently affordable apartments in five communities across the state.
LIHTC housing leads to higher incomes and educational attainment
New national research from the Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation finds that children who grow up in housing funded by the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program (LIHTC) program are more likely to enroll in higher education programs and have higher earnings as adults. The federal LIHTC program, which is administered in Vermont by VHFA, is the largest single source of funding for affordable rental housing development in the state.
VHFA seeks public comment on Tax Credit Qualified Allocation Plan
Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) is seeking feedback and comments on the Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP) that guides the agency in making housing tax credit allocation decisions. The Agency has opened the initial comment period and will close the period on Friday, April 15, 2020. The current 2020-2021 QAP is available on VHFA’s website.
Location matters for housing affordability
This commentary by VHFA Executive Director Maura Collins appeared recently in VTDigger
Housing affordability can’t be judged just on how much it costs to rent or buy a home. Although those indicators are important, the total costs of housing, both for households and the community, depend heavily on where the home is located.
Vermont Housing Finance Agency completes successful sale of state tax credits
Pleasant Hills in Bristol celebrates redevelopment
VHFA Executive Director Maura Collins joined Housing Vermont and Addison County Community Trust (ACCT) in Bristol last week to celebrate the redevelopment of Pleasant Hills. The complex offers 16 affordable one and two bedroom-apartments for seniors in a village setting. The project received the majority of its funding from federal tax credits and loans awarded by VHFA.
Whose voices are heard in local decision making?
In our increasing complex system of government, housing is one of few policy areas that is still largely decided at the local level. Resident input can have a significant influence on the number and types of homes that are built in a community. However, a study of local governments in Massachusetts reveals that people who participate in planning and zoning meetings often do not match the demographics of their communities as a whole. The study suggests that this lack of representation has contributed to the affordable housing crisis that America is currently facing.