Fair housing

The economic recovery is being felt among many households, with home equity wealth rising and more Millennials becoming homeowners. However, gains in homeownership have not been equally distributed among all Americans.

National Fair Housing Month is held every April to celebrate the anniversary of the passage of the 1968 Federal Fair Housing Act. At the same time, it is an opportunity to increase our efforts to end housing discrimination and raises awareness of housing rights.

Need an affordable apartment or know someone who does?  There are vacancies in 26 different apartment complexes across the state, according to the Vermont Directory of Affordable Rental Housing.

Please join VHFA in celebrating Fair Housing Month this April. This year is special as we mark the 50^th anniversary of the passage of the federal Fair Housing Act.

A new report from the Center for Investigative Reporting reveals that lenders across the United States are denying conventional mortgage loan applications for African American and Latino applicants at higher rates than comparable White applicants.

The Vermont House Committee on General, Housing and Military Affairs is holding hearings on rental housing health and safety issues. The Committee will hear from tenants, advocates, and health and housing experts on their concerns regarding unsafe rental conditions and gaps in health code enforcement.  

The Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO) has released a digital version of An Illustrated Guide to Vermont Renter’s Rights. The guide is narrated by visually striking cartoons that explain tenant rights and responsibilities throughout the rental process, and suggests resources for renters who need additional assistance. The guide is currently available in English, French, Arabic, and Nepali.    

Vermont Governor Phil Scott joined legislative and housing leaders in a press conference last week to update the public on the first year progress of the Building Homes Together campaign.

Goal

In an effort to increase the availability of affordable homes in Vermont, Champlain Housing Trust teamed up with Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission and Housing Vermont to set a goal of 3,500 new homes within 5 years, with 20% of them being permanently affordable.

Executive Director Sarah Carpenter joined Brattleboro Housing Partnerships and other agencies in Brattleboro, on May 25, 2017 to celebrate the opening of Red Clover Commons, a newly constructed 55-unit building for seniors and people with disabilities. These homes are intended to  replace units at Melrose Place which were severely damaged from Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011.

Please join VHFA and other housing leaders in celebrating April as Fair Housing Month! To honor the importance of Fair Housing activities in Vermont, all are welcome to the State House on Tuesday, April 4^th where there will be information in the Card Room all day as well as fair housing experts on hand to answer questions or discuss recent initiatives. At 10 am there will be a reading of a Concurrent Resolution endorsing April as Fair Housing month.