Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) Executive Director Maura Collins was recently appointed to the National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA) Board and Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (FHLB) Advisory Council. These two organizations play a key role in shaping housing finance policy in New England and beyond.
Employment
Riley Burchell joins VHFA as Vermont Housing Fellow
Columbia University graduate student Riley Burchell has been named the Spring 2021 Vermont Housing Fellow. Burchell will receive a financial stipend to improve and expand information available to decision makers about Vermont housing markets and opportunities. In addition, the program is intended to provide the fellow with valuable experience aiding to her professional development.
Burchell is pursuing dual degrees in Urban Planning and Social Work Policy at Columbia University. She has interned for two years at the New York City Department of Housing Preservation & Development, most recently facilitating and developing community engagement strategies around the implementation of a community land trust initiative in Far Rockaway, Queens.
Chad Simmons joins VHFA as Housing Policy & Engagement Specialist
Executive Director Maura Collins announced that VHFA has selected Chad Simmons of Montpelier as its new Housing Policy and Engagement Specialist.
Simmons has spent the past decade building connections with legislators and other Vermont stakeholders to improve lives in the areas of substance use, child care and clean energy. He has also worked with Equity Solutions as a team member, advancing social justice for a variety of Vermont organizations.
VHFA is hiring!
Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA), located in Burlington VT, is recruiting for a Housing Policy & Engagement Specialist. Named one of the “Best Small/Medium Places to Work in Vermont” the last few years, VHFA is looking for an individual with strong communication skills who will help us to promote our priorities and positions, maintain our great reputation, and advance our social justice goals.
Regine Albin joins VHFA as Vermont Housing Fellow
Suffolk University graduate student Regine Albin has been named the Fall 2020 Vermont Housing Fellow. Albin will receive a financial stipend to improve and expand information available to decision makers about Vermont housing markets and opportunities. In addition, the program is intended to provide the fellow with valuable experience aiding her professional development.
From Boston, Massachusetts, Albin is pursuing a Master’s degree in Public Administration. She also works at as a domestic violence advocate at the Association of Haitian Women. Prior to starting her graduate work, Albin earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Political Science from Pine Manor College.
Vermonters with pandemic hardship will get grants for overdue mortgage payments
When Kimberly Edgar was unable to work due to COVID-19, the new Mortgage Assistance Program offered her a path for keeping her home in Brattleboro. Funded by the federal CARES Act, the program provides qualified Vermont homeowners with grants for up to six months of overdue mortgage and property tax payments.
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.
Emerald Anderson joins VHFA as Vermont Housing Fellow
Suffolk University graduate student Emerald Anderson has been named the Summer 2020 Vermont Housing Fellow. Anderson will receive a financial stipend to improve and expand information available to decision makers about Vermont housing markets and opportunities. In addition, the program is intended to provide the fellow with valuable experience aiding to her professional development.
From Weymouth, Massachusetts, Anderson is pursuing a Master’s degree in Public Administration. Prior to starting her graduate work, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Legal Studies.
Help identify high impact strategies for promoting Vermont’s recovery
The Local Support and Community Action Team of the State of Vermont Economic Mitigation and Recovery Task Force needs your help prioritizing high impact ideas and actions identified by diverse stakeholders for COVID-19 recovery. The task force was established by Governor Scott to help mitigate the short-term economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and develop strategies for long-term business and community recovery.
Please share your views in this quick survey on or before Tuesday, May 12th.
Brittany Thurlo joins VHFA as Legal Coordinator
Executive Director Maura Collins announced that Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) has selected Brittany Thurlo as its new Legal Coordinator.
Thurlo comes to VHFA from Colorado, where she worked as a paralegal at several Denver companies, with a focus on corporate and real estate law.
“Brittany’s extensive experience in providing legal support will be a valuable addition to the Agency’s staff,” Collins remarked. “We especially appreciate her flexibility as she joins our team remotely during the unusual circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.”