Earlier this week, the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Housing Commission released its vision for the future of housing policy in its report: Housing America's Future: New Directions for National Policy. The recommendations include replacing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac with a government corporation to provid
Housing in the news
Comprehensive, on-the-ground outreach assists hundreds of Burlingtonians
Today’s Burlington Free Press spotlights Matt Young, supervisor for the Howard Center’s Street Outreach Team, who “doesn’t just find the homeless shelter [but] wants to show them the way to a home.” Young and his team walk the streets of Burlington, assisting 550-950 people each year. He explained that they see some people every day.
Free Press spotlights South Burlington’s housing affordability challenges
The wide-reaching ramifications of a lack of affordable housing options were highlighted in Saturday’s Burlington Free Press article on South Burlington.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issues new rules
On Thursday January 10th, the mortgage industry braced for rulings from the United State’s newest federal agency related to home lending, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). In his opening statement announcing the newest rules, CFPB’s Director, Richard Cordray said "Today, we’re issuing one of our most important rules to date, the Ability-to-Repay rule.
Two new VHFA bond deals will finance hundreds of VT home purchases and preserve affordable rental housing
VHFA has taken two big steps towards making housing more affordable in the Green Mountain State.
We closed two bond deals this week: one will fund mortgages for lower income homebuyers and the other restructures and provides the loans for 25 different multifamily rental projects, lowering their interest rates and extending how long the developments must remain affordable.
Brattleboro’s Canal and Main building recognized as national smart growth role model
The Canal and Main building in Brattleboro combines commercial space for the Brattleboro Food Co-op on its lower floors with affordable and market rate rental housing above. The synergy this project generated for the city’s downtown was recognized yesterday in Washington, DC when EPA awarded Vermont housing officials the 2012 Smart Growth National Achievement Award for Main Street or Corridor Revitalization.
VHFAer's efforts to house children in India make headlines
Yesterday's Burlington Free Press described the the Howley Foundation's progress in helping to provide safe homes for children in India. The Howley Foundation was started and is led by Brenda Howley, VHFA's Legal Coordinator.