When the Senate and House released their initial tax reform proposals last week in Washington, Vermont's Congressional delegation went to work to protect valuable resources that are part of the tax code, such as private activity bonds and housing tax credits. Tax programs are responsible for most affordable housing developed in Vermont in the past 30 years.
Data and Statistics
Progress update on first year of Building Homes Together campaign
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.
Home prices rise for northern Vermont counties through June 2017
In each of Vermont's northernmost counties, the median price of homes sold during the first half of 2017 was more than 10% higher than a decade earlier, according to our recent analysis of VT Tax Department data on non-vacation homes.
Home price data through June 2017 for every town and county in the state was recently added to the Vermont Housing Data website's community profiles.
Chittenden County led the state with a 20% increase during the decade, bringing the median price there among all non-vacation homes to $287,000. In contrast, Windham and Bennington counties experienced price declines during the decade of 12% and 10%, respectively.
Number of U.S. households with worst housing needs grew 8 percent in 2013-2015
Despite continued signs of a strengthening national economy, HUD's reported this month that severe housing problems are on the rise. In 2015, 8.30 million households had worst case needs, up from 7.72 million in 2013. These households are defined as very low-income renters who do not receive government housing assistance and who paid more than one-half of their income for rent, lived in severely inadequate conditions, or both. High rents in proportion to renter incomes remain dominant among households with worst case needs, leaving these renters with substantial, unmet need for affordable housing.
New improved Vermont Directory of Affordable Rental Housing goes live
Based on feedback from property managers and apartment seekers, VHFA launched this week a redesigned, user-friendly Vermont Directory of Affordable Rental Housing at www.housingdata.org. We improved search tools and expanded the site to include more information people looking for an apartment need, such as rent and income limits, property photos, proximity to public transportation, accessibility features and pet policies.
Development of the new website was supported in part by TD Charitable Foundation, AARP Vermont and the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity’s HUD Inclusive and Vibrant Communities Vermont Grant.
Legislature passes largest affordable housing bond in state history
With the passing of the State budget and enactment of a bond that could produce $35 million, Vermont is making its largest single commitment ever of state dollars for affordable housing. VHFA will issue the revenue bond and the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board (VHCB) will administer the funds statewide to expand Vermont’s stock of permanently affordable housing.
The Governor will sign the budget bill containing the bond on Wednesday, June 28th at 11:00 a.m. in the Ceremonial Office at the Vermont State House in Montpelier.
Resources for finding out about homelessness in Vermont improved
The Vermont Council on Homelessness has a new website providing information about the state's initiatives to help end homelessness. The responsibilities of the Council include development, monitoring and periodic revision of Vermont’s Plan to End Homelessness. The Council also makes annual recommendations to the Governor and Administration regarding resource, policy, and regulatory changes necessary to reduce and end homelessness in Vermont.
U.S. Census director resigns while data users strategize at annual conference
John Thompson addressed hundreds of data users at their annual conference Thursday while news broke of his abrupt resignation as director of the U.S. Census Bureau. Several experts pointed out the great challenges Thompson’s resignation creates. Meanwhile, Census officials and analysts strategized about how to most effectively use the Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) estimates to provide much-needed information about conditions facing the population.
Homelessness fell by 12 percent last year in Chittenden County
The annual count of people living in Chittenden County who are homeless decreased by 12% from the previous year, according to the Chittenden County Homeless Alliance. This continues a declining trend that has brought the number of people who are homeless in the county down 45% over the past four years. The Chittenden County Homeless Alliance, which VHFA has partnered with since 2003, is a coalition of individuals, organizations, and government who support a vision of a safe, decent, affordable, stable home for every person and family in Chittenden County.
Need an affordable apartment?
Need an affordable apartment or know someone who does? There are vacancies in 23 different apartment complexes across the state, according to the Vermont Directory of Affordable Rental Housing.